Bouchard wants life ban for Maria

Istanbul: Eugenie Bouchard attacked Maria Sharapova as a “cheater” over her return from a drugs ban and suggested the Russian should be kicked out of tennis for life. Bouchard said the Women’s Tennis Association was sending the wrong message in allowing the five-time Grand Slam-winner to come back from her 15-month suspension. “I don’t think that’s right. She’s a cheater and so to me, I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again,” said Canada’s Bouchard, the world number 59. “It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true. So I just think the WTA sends the wrong message to young kids: you know, cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms. “So I don’t think that’s right. She’s not someone I can say I look up to any more because it’s definitely ruined it for me a little bit,” Bouchard said. — AFP