Former tennis world number one Maria Sharapova says she will not request a wild card for Wimbledon and has confirmed she will go through the qualifying stages.

The five time Grand Slam champion was this week denied free entry into the main draw of the French Open following her 15 month drugs ban.

That suspension meant her ranking is not yet good enough for Roland Garros.

However she has been granted a wild card for the Aegon Open in Birmingham in the build up to Wimbledon.

"A few months ago, I received a wild card offer from Birmingham, one of my most memorable tournaments as a young player. I am so grateful and excited to be playing the event again!" she said of the Birmingham tournament on her official website.

"Because of my improved ranking after the first three tournaments of my return, I will also be playing the qualifying of Wimbledon in Roehampton, and will not be requesting a wildcard into the main draw."

She will then enter the qualifying stages at Wimbledon at Roehampton which will take place between June 26th and June 29th.

Sharapova added: "I have already started getting treatment on the injury I sustained a few days ago in Rome, and will begin my preparation as soon I get better."