Maria Sharapova gets Dubai spot, Victoria Azarenka gets Indian Wells entry

Maria Sharapova will make her long-awaited return to the Dubai Tennis Championships this year while Victoria Azarenka will compete in the BNP Paribas Open.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova last played in the Dubai tournament back in 2006 when she made it all the way to the final in her first appearance at the event, before finishing runner-up to Justine Henin.
Sharapova, though, will be back this year as she has been awarded a wildcard by tournament organisers.
A high-quality field will compete in Dubai as two-time Grand Slam winners Garbine Muguruza and Angelique Kerber, and Karolina Pliskova will also feature.
The Dubai Tennis Championships takes place from February 19-25.
Meanwhile, former world No 1 Azarenka will return to Indian Wells after she also received a wildcard entry.
The two-time BNP Paribas Open missed last year’s event following the birth of her son and a protracted custody battle meant she also missed the start of the 2018 season as she couldn’t play in Australasia.
However, she will feature at the event which runs from March 5-18.
“I have always loved playing at Indian Wells, and I could not be more thrilled to be returning to the desert this March to compete for my third event title,” she said in a statement.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer sends fans crazy with a social media post ahead of his return to action
The moment Roger Federer fans have waited almost a years to see is nearly here as he prepares to return to action next week.
-
WTA Tour
Garbine Muguruza into the final in Qatar after Victoria Azarenka pulls out
Victoria Azarenka withdrew ahead of the Qatar Total Open semi-finals to send Garbine Muguruza.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas sets up showdown with Andrey Rublev in Rotterdam
Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
-
News
Lawn Tennis Association determined to show commitment to inclusion and diversity
Seven people from diverse backgrounds have been appointed to the LTA Council.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray’s tips on how to make sure you stay injury-free when tennis resumes after lockdown
Andy Murray is back with some tips.
-
Tennis Fun
WATCH: Kei Nishikori reveals he wanted to be a penguin when he was young
Kei Nishikori with some quality content.
-
ATP Tour
‘He will play top-level tennis again because he is that good’ – Andy Murray on Roger Federer’s return
Andy Murray on Roger Federer’s return.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest WTA singles champions: Billie Jean King top, but Venus and/or Serena Williams could pip her
A look at your oldest WTA singles title winners.
-
Tennis Fun
Serena Williams and her ‘mini-me’ Olympia wear matching catsuits in debut joint fashion campaign
“The adventures of Serena and Olympia continue…”
-
Tennis Videos
WATCH: Benoit Paire argues with umpire, spits on mark, crashes out and then Tweets ‘it’s worth it to suck’
Benoit Paire makes controversial exit.