Sharapova blasts critics

MARIA SHARAPOvA, who was suspended from tennis for 15 months for doping, has rounded on her many critics — claiming they do not know ‘the facts’ of her case.

The Russian tennis star returned to the court in April after receiving a ban last year for taking the banned substance meldonium.

In a BBC interview, set to be aired in full tonight, the former world No1 denied cheating and hit out at the likes of Andy Murray for their questioning of her taking the substance.

The British No1 has previously said he finds it odd that there is a prescription drug, meldonium, used by many top athletes to treat a heart condition.

Sharapova told the BBC: ‘I don’t think it’s for them to really have an opinion, because they don’t have the facts. So, you know, I think that those are the types of words that make headlines and they will be used as headlines.

‘But ultimately, this is my career, and I faced it head on, and I admitted my mistake, and I went about it and I served my suspension and now I’m back.’ The 30-year-old, who has released her memoir

Unstoppable, My Life So Far, also responded to fellow player Eugenie Bouchard, who said in April: ‘She’s a cheater and I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play again.’

Sharapova said: ‘I think those are comments not based on facts, and therefore I don’t take them into consideration.’