Sharapova’s shameless year as a drugs cheat
Oscars party, fashion shows and building an unstoppable brand
IT WAS a year ago that Maria Sharapova hired a conference room in a Los Angeles hotel and publicly pre- empted the announcement that she had failed a test for the newly banned drug meldonium during the 2016 Australian Open.
the countdown is now on to her comeback and she is not wasting any time. Despite her 15-month ban not ending until April 26, the Wednesday of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the promoters are arranging the schedule to accommodate her in the draw (although she is not allowed on site until that day).
When faced with a ban for doping, most athletes decide to fade into the background. However, with her own brand to protect and a host of others to promote, the former world No 1 has been no shrinking violet.
Some of the great and good in tennis and the corporate world have chosen to overlook the reason she has been absent.
In between training stints and regular commercial appearances, here are some of the highlights of the past year for tennis’s highest profile doping offender: MAY 2: Looking stunning in a dress provided by designer Juan Carlos Obando, she attends the highsociety Met Gala in New York, which raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum. Lewis Hamilton is on hand for a joint selfie. MAY 24: After a visit to Paris, Maria has a new line of chocolates to launch as part of her Sugarpova candy line at the Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago. She is pictured in a Zara shirt emblazoned with the phrase ‘Back in Five Minutes’, which becomes a worldwide seller. JUNE 25: She enrols on a course with Harvard Business School in America and then, during Wimbledon in early July, she attends classes run by an offshoot of the University. JULY 23: It’s a life on the ocean wave for Maria as she attends the heats of the America’s Cup. SEPTEMBER 5: Having spent part of August studying the workings of Nike HQ, Sharapova releases an advert for her Head racket bag during the US Open. Maria is in New York for Fashion Week and on September 10 she is on the red carpet again, wearing a Victoria Beckham dress for the Bazaar Icons event. SEPTEMBER 14: A promotional visit to the Porsche museum in Stuttgart, then off to France to attend golf’s Evian Championship. the month ends with promotion for another commercial partner, skincare brand Supergoop! OCTOBER 4: the Court of Arbitra- tion for Sport gives the result of the appeal hearing against her ITF suspension. As usual with tennis cases, CAS looks favourably on the player and the ban is reduced from two years to 15 months. A frantic round of sympathetic interviews and chat shows follows. OCTOBER 10: High fives all round with John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova as Maria returns to the court for the World team tennis Smash Hits event in Las Vegas. there is a selfie with Sir Elton John, who, with Billie Jean King, is behind the event. King, who has done more for women’s sport than anyone in history, has shown strange judgment. OCTOBER 20: An appearance alongside tiger Woods at the gala to mark the 20th anniversary of the tiger Woods Foundation. OCTOBER 26: Dresses up for a Vogue fashion show. Next month, an appearance for Porsche with actor Patrick Dempsey. DECEMBER 16: A prestige tennis appearance as she plays Olympic champion and fellow IMG client Monica Puig at an exhibition match in Puerto Rico. JANUARY 9: Having spent New Year’s Eve in Hawaii, the comeback in Stuttgart is announced. Steve Simon, WTA chief executive, greets the news with almost unbridled enthusiasm. JANUARY 17: It’s back to the grindstone of appearances and photoshoots, this time with legendary snapper Annie Leibovitz. ‘Always an honour working with Annie,’ muses Maria on twitter. FEBRUARY 16: Having travelled to trade shows in Cologne and Moscow, there’s training at the IMG Academy in Florida. She takes centre stage in a team picture with young tennis hopefuls and legendary coach Nick Bollettieri. FEBRUARY 26: training is in full swing but there’s always time to join her fellow A-listers at the Oscars’ Vanity Fair party.