NEW YORK (AP) — Maria Sharapova has been granted a wild-card invitation for the U.S. Open’s main draw.
Sharapova is among eight women who were given entry into the 128-player field by the U.S. Tennis Association on Tuesday — and she’s by far the most noteworthy.
The former No. 1-ranked player and owner of five major championships, including the 2006 U.S. Open title, will be participating in her first Grand Slam tournament in more than 1½ years. Sharapova has not entered a major tournament since the Australian Open in January 2016, when she tested positive for the newly banned drug meldonium.
That led to a 15-month doping ban, which expired in April.
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The U.S. Open starts in Flushing Meadows on Aug. 28.