Lausanne - Maria Sharapova's reduced suspension for a doping
violation is set to provide a healthy boost to her bank balance with corporate
sponsors reaffirming their commitment to the Russian player.
The 29-year-old can return to the court next April after the
Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her two-year ban by nine months on
Tuesday.
Sharapova's stunning admission in March that she had tested
positive for meldonium at the Australian Open, and her subsequent ban by the
International Tennis Federation, saw a number of sponsors distance themselves
from her.
Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer cut ties with the former world No
1 while Porsche, a unit of Volkswagen AG, was among those to suspend its
relationship with the Russian.
However, in the wake of Tuesday's verdict the German luxury
carmaker confirmed it would discuss its tie-ups with Sharapova.
"We welcome the CAS verdict and are delighted for
Maria," Porsche said in a statement published by Russian news agency TASS.
"No contracts have been terminated. We will be
discussing a future collaboration over the next days and weeks."
Nike Inc, the world's biggest sportswear brand, initially
suspended its partnership with Sharapova after her admission in March but said
it would continue to work with the player after her two-year ban was announced
in June.
"We are pleased that Maria will be back playing the
sport she loves in April and look forward to partnering with her and enjoying
her continued success on and off the court," Nike said in a statement
published by ESPN.
Mineral water brand Evian and racket maker Head, long-time
backers, also released statements hailing the reduction.
Head chairman and CEO Johan Eliasch, a robust supporter of
Sharapova throughout the scandal, said "justice" had been served.
"We are very proud to have stood by Maria for the right
reasons throughout these difficult and testing times," he said in a
statement posted on the company's social media accounts.
Five-time grand slam champion Sharapova, the world's
highest-paid sportswoman, earned $29.7 million last year, according to Forbes
magazine, most of it from endorsements, appearances and royalties rather than
victories on court.
Sponsors' moves to rekindle their relationships with
Sharapova were viewed dimly by some sports fans on social media.
"So boss of Head reckons drug taking is fine. Tennis is a mess with sponsors like this!" tweeted David Cooke (@hirsty9).