Eugenie Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, has said that Maria Sharapovashould not be allowed to play the game of tennis again, labelling the multiple Grand Slam winner a “cheat.”
Sharapova is said not to be an intentional doper, reducing her two year ban from tennis to 15 months which she has since served.
Top tennis stars have spoken against the return of the French Open champ but she has returned and returned big! Sharapova defeated Roberta Vinci and Ekaterina Makarovaat the Stuttgart Open after 15 months out.
“She’s a cheater and I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play again. I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids: cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms. I don’t think that’s right and she’s not someone I can say I look up to anymore,” Bouchard said.
Sharapova was suspended March last year but she returned to get victories at the tournament. She is poised to play some more tournaments through the wildcard route which others have condemned. She would find out her status 12 days ahead of the French Open.
Sharapova has offered to play in the juniors ahead of the French Open and the Wimbledon is that’s what it takes to compete at the tournaments.
“If I get the opportunity to be in a draw then I will take it. I’m being offered wildcards from tournament directors and I’m accepting them,” she said. “I’d play in the juniors,” she added knowing a wildcard for the French Open would arouse too many brows.
She does not have any ranking after being out of the game for a year. She seems focused on winning back her place after the disgrace than on making or keeping friends.