Taking after Sharapova’s confirmation in March 2016 that she had tried positive for a restricted medication at that year’s Australian Open, she was at first prohibited by the International Tennis Federation for a long time, later decreased on offer. Be that as it may, not at all like golfer Tiger Woods, who discharged supporters rapidly after his additional conjugal undertakings became visible, Sharapova’s patrons held up to perceive how things played out.
This is latest that Maria Sharapova faces the greatest test of her tennis vocation – specifically her arrival to the game following a 15-month drugs boycott – and it is not recently her kept wearing achievement that is in the spotlight.
Off the court, where she makes the main part of her profit, the question is – would she be able to be as large a support draw as she was before her upheld nonappearance?
The 29-year-old will profit to activity for Wednesday, 26 April, in Stuttgart in the wake of being given a trump card.
Albeit some kindred players have communicated apprehensions, she has the support of the WTA visit, and her fans.
What’s more, with greatest business match Serena Williams declaring she is pregnant and confronting time far from the amusement, the Russian’s arrival is positively opportune.
“That was because they had invested so much money and effort into their deals,” says Prof Chadwick.
“Also, to terminate deals could have been dangerous as she might come back successfully, and if you as a sponsor have decided to cancel her contract then the door has been left wide open for a rival.”
Forbes gauges the five-time Grand Slam champ made $1.9m (£1.5m) in prize cash from playing, yet an astounding $20m from supports, a whole coordinated just by Williams.
What’s more, it is this essential wellspring of income that Sharapova will hope to reinvigorate.
“During her time out there will have been some continued relationship with her sponsors,” says Simon Chadwick, professor of sports enterprise at the University of Salford.
“But I am sure there will have been some sort of penalty clause in her sponsor contracts for incurring a suspension.”
