Sharapova ‘way above that’
Maria Sharapova will not be drawn by Eugenie Bouchard’s serve that she should be banned for life from professional tennis, saying she is ‘‘way above that’’.
The Russian star returned to pro tennis this week after serving a 15-month ban for testing positive for the performance enhancing drug meldonium at the Australian Open in January 2016.
Her return was on a tournament wildcard at the Stuttgart Open in Germany, forcing out of the playing draw hometown favourite Julia Goerges.
Sharapova’s return prompted heated comments this from Canadian tennis pro Bouchard, who said the Russian should not be allowed back on the pro circuit because it sends the wrong message about cheating.
‘‘I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play again,’’ Bouchard said. ‘‘It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it in the right way and are true.’’
Sharapova would not return fire yesterday when asked if she had a reaction to the Bouchard comment.
‘‘I don’t. I’m way above that. I don’t need to comment on that,’’ Sharapova said after notching a second round win in Stuttgart over compatriot Ekaterina Makarova.
Sharapova has maintained she did not cheat intentionally, instead saying she missed the memo that said meldonium was a banned substance. It was not a prohibited drug prior to 2016.