Maria Sharapova set foot on a tennis court for the first time since her positive drug test at the Australian Open on October 10, 2016, smiling throughout an appearance in the World Team Tennis Smash Hits charity event in Las Vegas.

The Russian star, who last week earned a reduction in her drug ban that will allow her to return to tennis in April 2016, played in two light-hearted doubles matches in the event at Caesar’s Palace to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Sharapova lost her doubles match with American youngster Taylor Johnson when they faced Martina Navratilova and Liezel Huber. The 29-year-old indicated had felt a hint of nerves along with her 16-year-old doubles partner Johnson. “It was a big occasion for her (Johnson) and also for me,” Sharapova told ESPN. "I haven’t been on a court for a while, for both of us, it was to have some fun and a bit of laughs,” she added.

Sharapova later paired with US legend John McEnroe in the evening’s final game against Navratilova and Andy Roddick. Sharapova had not played since testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January 2016.

Her initial 24-month ban was slashed to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday, a ruling which has divided opinion among her peers.

Team Elton defeated Team Billie Jean 19-14 to move ahead 13-11 in overall WTT Smash Hits series. The night raised $600,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Celeb set – Andy Roddick/Maria Sharapova def. Sir Elton John/3-1 (does not count towards overall score)

Women’s Doubles: Martina Navratilova / Liezel Huber (Team Elton) def. Maria Sharapova / Taylor Johnson (Team Billie Jean) 5-2

Men’s Doubles: Andy Roddick / Mardy Fish (Team Elton) def. Mark Philippoussis / John McEnroe (Team Billie Jean) 5-3

Men’s singles: Andy Roddick (Team Elton) def. Mark Philippoussis (Team Billie Jean) 5-3

Mixed Doubles: John McEnroe/Maria Sharapova (Team Billie Jean) def. Andy Roddick / Martina Navratilova (Team Elton) 5-3

Extended Play: John McEnroe/Maria Sharapova (Team Billie Jean) tied Andy Roddick / Martina Navratilova (Team Elton) 1-1

Back to Headlines