Maria Sharapova's first opponent following her 15-month doping ban has queried why the Russian has been granted wild cards to compete in WTA events.
Sharapova returns to the court at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Wednesday, the first day when she is eligible to play again following a suspension the 30-year-old was given after testing positive for cardiac drug meldonium last January.
The former world number one no longer has a ranking and needs a wild card in order to compete in competitions such as the one in Stuttgart, where she will face 34-year-old Roberta Vinci.
And Vinci has joined the chorus of voices questioning whether Sharapova should be awarded a wild card for Tour events.
In quotes published on The Times' website, Vinci said: "I think my personal opinion is that I don't agree about the wild card here and about the wild card in Rome and the other tournaments.
"She made her mistakes for sure, but she paid (for it) and I think she can return to play, but without any wild cards."
Speaking last month when Sharapova's return was announced, Caroline Wozniacki had said it was "disrespectful" that the Russian had been granted a wild card.
Sharapova has previously won the event in Stuttgart on three occasions between 2012 and 2014.
Source: PA
