Maria Sharapova has claimed that her love for tennis has only grown stronger during her ongoing 15-month doping ban.

The 30-year-old returned to action at the Stuttgart Open in April after being awarded a wildcard entry, and went on to compete in the Madrid Open and the Italian Open before sustaining a thigh injury that thwarted her progress. 

Sharapova is now aiming to be back for the start of the hard court season with the Bank of West Classic at Stanford, and has said that her struggles over the past two years have only made her stronger. 

"These last two years have been tougher — so much tougher — than I ever could have anticipated... my passion for the game has never wavered. If anything, it's only grown stronger," Sharapova said. 

"I'm getting ready for the North American hardcourt season now, one of my favourites. I'll play Stanford, then Toronto — and I'm going to give it everything I have."

The former Wimbledon champion came under fire and heavy criticism for the doping controversy and for being handed a wildcard entry during the ongoing ban. 

Sharapova has admitted that such serious scrutiny from players, both current and former, as well as pundits has affected her. 

She added: "I'm not oblivious. I'm aware of what many of my peers have said about me, and how critical of me some of them have been in the press... I don't think that sort of thing will ever fully be possible to ignore.

"But at the same time I've always tried to keep a generous attitude toward critics in general... I've never wanted to respond to the people trashing me by trashing them back; that's always been important to me."

"I've always wanted to face my critics by simply taking the high road. And by showing them, by showing everyone, that taking the high road is a choice."

Following the Stanford tournament, the five-time Grand Slam winner will compete in the Rogers Cup in Toronto, starting on August 7.