Her match against Vinci opens the Evening Session on Centre Court, where the eyes of the tennis world will be on what is a controversial comeback. "I'm not going to make myself ugly", she said.
Vinci went on record to state her disapproval at that decision, but was beaten 7-5 6-3 in the first round. She remains one of the most marketable sports stars in the world.
The 30-year-old does not have a world ranking after her points expired during her suspension and would need to reach the final in Stuttgart to be eligible for French Open qualifying. On Tuesday, Simona Halep and Alize Cornet joined the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber and Sharapova's first opponent, Vinci, in publicly opposing wild cards for players returning from a doping ban.
"I know [Sharapova] is important for the tennis, for the WTA, for everything, " Vinci said.
"It's normal that people talk about her, she's an huge champion, but.to (be) promoting her return to such an extent. She's had a year and a half".
"It's an interesting match for sure, a hard match, a tricky match but I am happy". I am preparing all in the same way as [for] other tournaments. "I find that unjust". Vinci was the heavy "unfavorite" going into the match back then, but as the action ticked on, it seems that Roberta was going to win and not the crowd's favorite - Serena.
"Generally speaking, I find it shameful that the WTA is promoting a player who tested positive after all".
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Clijsters, who was tournament director of the Diamond Games in Antwerp when the event was last held in 2015, added that "it's up to the tournaments whoever they want to give a wild card or not". After the end of her 15-month doping suspension Sharapova will play at the Porsche Grand Prix tennis tournament in Stuttgart this week.
On a different surface and against an opponent who is lacking match play, the Italian fancied her chances.
Vinci had an animated exchanged with her coach after getting off the mark in the second set, though again there was little obvious benefit as the 34-year-old was unable to disrupt Sharapova's flow.
"She is starting at ground zero".
The Russian was suspended after testing positive for heart drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
Besides Stuttgart, Sharapova has also been handed a free passage into the main draws at Madrid and Rome in May, but organizers of the French Open have yet to decide about an invitation for the Russian.
The FFT said that "the decision will be taken the week of [Monday] May 15, " without giving further details. Having won three of her four career Grand Slam titles after returning in 2009, Clijsters had no doubt that Sharapova could have an equally successful return to the circuit.
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