Maria Sharapova will be on Russia’s provisional Olympic team, as expected, as she waits to see if her meldonium suspension will be lifted in time for the Rio Games, according to Russian media.
It has been known for weeks that Sharapova, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist, would likely meet Olympic qualification criteria via her WTA ranking on the June 6 cutoff. Despite not playing since January due to injury and her meldonium ban.
It has also been known for weeks that Russia’s tennis federation president wants Sharapova on the Olympic team.
Sharapova is ranked No. 23 in the world and second among Russians behind No. 15 Svetlana Kuznetsova. Russia can enter four women in the Olympic singles competition.
If Sharapova is not allowed to compete in the Olympics, the next highest-ranked Russian singles player can replace her.
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