Sharapova plays Las Vegas charity event

AFP, LOS ANGELES: Maria Sharapova set foot on a tennis court for the first time since her positive drug test at the Australian Open on Monday, smiling throughout an appearance in the World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event in Las Vegas.
The Russian star, who last week earned a reduction in her drug ban that will allow her to return to tennis in April, played in two light-hearted doubles matches in the event at Caesar’s Palace to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Sharapova lost her doubles match with American youngster Taylor Johnson when they faced Martina Navratilova and Liezel Huber.
The 29-year-old indicated had felt a hint of nerves along with her 16-year-old doubles partner Johnson. 
“It was a big occasion for her (Johnson) and also for me,” Sharapova told ESPN.
“I haven’t been on a court for a while, for both of us, it was to have some fun and a bit of laughs,” she added.
Sharapova later paired with US legend John McEnroe in the evening’s final game against Navratilova and Andy Roddick.
Sharapova had not played since testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January.
Her initial 24-month ban was slashed to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday, a ruling which has divided opinion among her peers.
Meanwhile, Sharapova indicated last week to ESPN she wasn’t convinced the drug meldonium, newly banned this year by the World Anti-Doping Agency, enhances performance.
“I got a 24-month suspension, but they (the ITF) wanted four years for me,” Sharapova said in an interview with US broadcaster PBS, a claim ITF officials denied.
“I think the one thing that I’d love to see—and if anyone could show me—is evidence on the performance-enhancing effect that it has,” she told the US sports network.
Sharapova’s initial 24-month ban for testing positive for meldonium was cut to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday.
That CAS decision divided opinion among her peers.
“I can’t believe it actually,” Australian Samantha Stosur 
said at a tournament in Hong Kong, calling it “remarkable” that Sharapova’s ban was reduced on the argument she didn’t realize a drug she’d long used had been added to the banned list.
Stosur, in comments reported in Tennis Magazine, said she thought most WTA players felt the same.
“So I wouldn’t imagine there’s a whole lot of support from the playing group,” the Aussie said.
But five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova can likely expect a warm welcome in Las Vegas, where she’ll arrive after a stop-off in Henderson, Nevada, to promote her candy company Sugarpova.
“Important to put this behind us for tennis and Maria,” King tweeted after Sharapova’s ban was reduced. “Look forward to her return to the WTA Tour@wta.”
Navratilova added on Twitter: “A big price to pay for a big mistake, it will still be hard to come back for Maria. But we know how tough she is...”

Sharapova plays Las Vegas charity event

AFP, LOS ANGELES: Maria Sharapova set foot on a tenniscourt for the first time since her positive drug test at the Australian Open on Monday, smiling throughout an appearance in the World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event in Las Vegas. The Russian star, who last week earned a reduction in her drug ban that will allow her to return to tennis in April, played in two light-hearted doubles matches in the event at Caesars Palace to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Sharapova lost her doubles match with American youngster Taylor Johnson when they faced Martina Navratilova and Liezel Huber. The 29-year-old indicated had felt a hint of nerves along with her 16-year-old doubles partner Johnson. It was a big occasion for her (Johnson) and also for me, Sharapova told ESPN. I havent been on a court for a while, for both of us, it was to have some fun and a bit of laughs, she added. Sharapova later paired with US legend John McEnroe in the evenings final game against Navratilova and Andy Roddick. Sharapova had not played since testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January. Her initial 24-month ban was slashed to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday, a ruling which has divided opinion among her peers. Meanwhile, Sharapova indicated last week to ESPN she wasnt convinced the drug meldonium, newly banned this year by the World Anti-Doping Agency, enhances performance. I got a 24-month suspension, but they (the ITF) wanted four years for me, Sharapova said in an interview with US broadcaster PBS, a claim ITF officials denied. I think the one thing that Id love to seeand if anyone could show meis evidence on the performance-enhancing effect that it has, she told the US sports network. Sharapovas initial 24-month ban for testing positive for meldonium was cut to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday. That CAS decision divided opinion among her peers. I cant believe it actually, Australian Samantha Stosur said at a tournament in Hong Kong, calling it remarkable that Sharapovas ban was reduced on the argument shedidnt realize a drug shed long used had been added tothe banned list. Stosur, in comments reported in Tennis Magazine, said she thought most WTA players felt the same. So I wouldnt imagine theres a whole lot of support from the playing group, the Aussie said. But five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova can likely expect a warm welcome in Las Vegas, where shell arrive after a stop-off in Henderson, Nevada, to promote her candy company Sugarpova. Important to put this behind us for tennis and Maria, King tweeted after Sharapovas ban was reduced. Look forward to her return to the WTA Tour@wta. Navratilova added on Twitter: A big price to pay for a big mistake, it will still be hard to come back for Maria. But we know how tough she is...