"Back from a drug sentence to play every match on Center Court" - When Maria Sharapova was accused of favoritism at US Open by Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki once expressed frustration over the US Open's scheduling, accusing the tournament of favoring Maria Sharapova. The incident took place in 2017.

Sharapova made her Grand Slam comeback at the New York Major that year following a 15-month suspension for testing positive for a banned substance: meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. Despite being ranked outside the top 100, she received a wild card entry into the tournament's main draw.

Wozniacki opposed Sharapova receiving wild cards for tournaments after her suspension, calling it "disrespectful" to other players who had worked hard for months to earn their spots, including herself.

The Dane once again raised her voice against the Russian at Flushing Meadows, feeling it was unacceptable that her colleague was playing on Center Court while she and other top players were assigned to smaller courts.

"When you look on Centre Court [Ashe], I understand completely the business side of things but someone who comes back from a drugs sentence and performance-enhancing drugs, and all of a sudden gets to play every single match on Centre Court, I believe is a questionable thing to do. I think it doesn’t set a good example," Wozniacki said after her second-round loss to Ekaterina Makarova.

"I think someone who has fought their way back from injury and is 5 in the world deserves to play on a bigger court than court No 5. Finally, they moved us to court No 17, which is a really nice court, actually, and we had a great atmosphere out there. But they should look into what they need to do in the future," the former World No. 1 added.

---

Maria Sharapova: "I don’t make the schedule...I’m happy to play in parking lot"

Maria Sharapova pictured at the 2017 US Open (Source: Getty)

Maria Sharapova hit back at Caroline Wozniacki's criticism of the 2017 US Open scheduling, saying it was beyond her control. She said she would be happy to play anywhere, even in a parking lot, after defeating Sofia Kenin to advance to the fourth round.

"I don’t make the schedule. I’m a pretty big competitor. If you put me out in the parking lot of Queens in New York City, I’m happy to play there," Sharapova said.

The five-time Grand Slam champion added:

"That’s not what matters to me. All that matters to me is I’m in the fourth round. I’m not sure where she is."

Sharapova lost to Anastasija Sevastova and failed to reach the quarterfinals in the tournament she won in 2006.