By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, August 29, 2017
A multitude of emotions was on display Monday night on Arthur Ashe Stadium after Maria Sharapova completed her dramatic three set opening round win over No. 2 seed Simona Halep. Sharapova herself alternated between joy, disbelief, and tears as she tried to explain how she felt just after the match.
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The hard fought first round meeting felt more like a final in terms of the shotmaking and tension level. It certainly elevated the opening night and served as an auspicious omen that we might be in store for a memorable two weeks. It also felt like a moment of vindication.
Not just for Sharapova, who played in her first major in nearly two years since testing positive for a banned substance, but also for US Open tournament organizers who gave her a main draw wildcard that allowed the former champion to create the kind of moment like this that they were probably hoping for.
Six-time US Open winner Chris Evert commentated on the match for ESPN. In her post-match comments, she said the following:
Many fans liked or retweeted it as a sign of agreement with Evert. Yet, as with many things regarding Sharapova these days, the comments were mixed. Some expressed delight that Sharapova was back to playing and winning on the biggest stage (literally) in tennis. Others expressed dismay, not so much at Sharapova herself, but at the tournament's decision to award Sharapova that wildcard in the first place.
Sharapova is moving on, at least this week as a tennis player into round two where she'll face Timea Babos. But no matter what Sharapova's results over these two weeks, is the tennis world itself finally ready to move on with her?
Based on Evert's comment, and the response to it, it looks like for many the answer is yes.
As Evert was correct to point out, everyone (well, almost) had an opinion on Sharapova after she made the announcement early last year that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
And everybody had an opinion about the ITF’s decision to give her a 15-month suspension. And once she served her time, everyone had an opinion when it was annouced the Stuttgart event, of which the title sponsor is also one of Sharapova’s sponsors, would give her a main draw wild card.
Other non-Grand Slam events followed suit. In the current WTA landscape that has former No. 1 Serena Williams away due to her pregnancy, Sharapova filled the void of having a huge marquee name in a draw that even non-tennis fans recognize right away.
The majors is where it got interesting.
The French Tennis Federation denied Sharapova a main draw and qualifying wildcard into the French Open despite her being a former two-time champion.
“There can be a wild card for return from injuries. There cannot be a wild card for return from doping.” said FFT president Bernard Giudicelli during his annoucement.
Before Wimbledon, Sharapova expressed interest in competing in qualifying there, but then pulled out of all grass court events due to a thigh injury. This summer, Sharapova played one match in Stanford but then withdrew from there and also from the rest of the lead up events due to a forearm injury. Then the US Open announced it would give Sharapova a wild card.
“Her suspension under the terms of the tennis anti-doping program was completed and therefore was not one of the factors weighed in our wild card selection process. Consistent with past practice, a wild card was provided to a past U.S. Champion who needed the wild card for entry into the main draw.” the USTA told the New York Times in a statement when they announced her wildcard a few weeks ago.
Debating why the USTA gave Sharapova the wildcard is a moot point now. Sharapova, post US Open, will most likely continue to receive wildcards into upcoming WTA events. Next January’s Australian Open may be able to avoid the wildcard debate completely as long as Sharapova’s ranking is high enough to make the draw there automatically.
All-time greats like Evert along with Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova have expressed their support for Sharapova's return. Current tour players, for the most part, have been kind but not exactly overtly generous in their welcomes to Sharapova. A few players like Eugenie Bouchard, Kristina Mladenovic, and Andy Murray have been vocal in their dissaproval of the former No. 1 and having her back on tour.
Sharapova’s many fans are hopeful that she can resume her winning ways, especially with the number of recent injuries she’s dealt with this year.
But, no matter how many mea culpas Sharapova says or charity work she may do, like this week talking to juniors at the US Open about the importance of personal responsibility, a lot of other tennis fans won't forget her infraction or forgive her. Whatever side one is on, the reality is that Sharapova is here to stay and will continue getting those wildcards (as needed) as the tour, for the most part, is ready to turn the page.
After her win Monday night, Sharapova was asked how she thought she might play for the rest of the tournament, given the caliber of opponent she defeated in Halep.
"Look, I'll enjoy this for a little bit of time, then I have to move on,” Sharapova said. “But I definitely have to value the feeling that I have now. I think that's important. I can't take that for granted. I can't take the level for granted. I can't take my emotions for granted. This is a big win for me, and I will enjoy it, then move on to the next one."
Sharapova will celebrate her big win, but then, as she always does will set her sights on the next match. She's not just hoping to move on from there and deeper into the event, but also hoping that this year's US Open will allow the sport itself to move on from her past issues.
Sharapova defintely doesn't want her suspension to be the last thing people remember about her career. It's definitely something that won't be forgotten, and shouldn't be, but it should not be the only thing that defines her entire career. How Sharapova chooses to be remembered and define her final years on tour - unlike those tournament wildcards - is entirely up to her.