Maria Sharapova is back in fashion after doping scandal

Russian tennis champion Maria Sharapova is finally able to smile for the cameras of Net-a-porter’s digital magazine The Edit following the drug scandal that put her career on hold last year.

Sharapova has faced her demons, writing about her feelings surrounding the ban for the anti-ischemic drug meldonium, which only became a prohibited substance in January 2016, the same month the top-earning sportswoman tested positive.

"I felt so small,” Sharapova, 30, says in the article. “For a woman who’s tall and powerful – an athlete – it was a very distant feeling."

"I faced so many days where I questioned people around me and what they thought; I’d never done that before. During the first four or five months [of the suspension], it was really hard for me to put words onto paper, or want any of the memories."

Now the blonde bombshell, who works with Avon and Nike, is returning to centre court for the US Open. When Sharapova first stepped back into an arena it was like coming home.

"I woke up that morning feeling like, ‘It’s show time.’ This is my time; I want to be here. I walked into the arena like I deserved to be there. I felt like I did."

While Serena Williams is undoubtedly the more successful player, Sharapova’s sponsorships have made her richer and also created a rivalry between the two powerful women. With a pregnant Williams taking a break from tennis, Sharapova can bury the hatchet.

"People have talked about our relationship so much; we’re always put on these lists of who’s more marketable and who makes more money," Sharapova says. “Even though we’ve had our battles on and off the court, I believe both of us have an amazing amount of respect for each other."

In the shoot by Jan Welters, Sharapova wear’s relaxed luxe pieces from Altuzarra, Tom Ford, Prada, Max Mara and Victoria Beckham.

Sharapova’s book Unstoppable, My Story So Far is released on September 12.