Sharapova wished ‘all the best’ by Djokovic

tennis: CHRIS Evert surprised By LACK OF support FOR russian after drug test failure

World number one Novak Djokovic has given his support to Maria Sharapova and said he hopes she “gets out of this stronger”.

Women’s tennis’ most bankable star made the stunning announcement on Monday that she had failed a drug test for meldonium at the Australian Open.

Djokovic and Sharapova share a racquet sponsor, and Djokovic has famously done impressions of the Russian on court.

He told TMZ.com: “I obviously wish her all the best. I’ve known her for a long time. I feel for her with all that’s happening and I just hope she gets out of this stronger.”

Meanwhile, Chris Evert expressed surprise at the lack of support within tennis for Sharapova.

The predominant response has been shock at how one of tennis’ most professional and meticulous players could fail to take notice of warnings that a drug she had been taking for 10 years had been added to the banned list.

There have been some messages of support, with Sharapova’s great rival Serena Williams praising her courage in taking responsibility for her mistake.

But others have been less charitable. Three-time Grand Slam champion Jennifer Capriati wrote on Twitter: “I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat, no matter what. I had to throw in the towel and suffer.

“I didn’t have the high-priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up.”

Evert told ESPN: “Maria Sharapova has always isolated herself from the rest of the tennis world. She’s made that known, she can’t be friends with the players.

“I’m not seeing a lot of support from a lot of the players. I think everyone is being mum right now.

“Whether it’s shock or whether they don’t want to become involved or have an opinion about it, it’s sort of surprising that not a lot of players have shown their support for her.”

Sharapova has accepted a provisional suspension and will find out after a tribunal hearing in due course what sanction she faces.

The Russian admitted she received a link to the list of banned substances for this year in December but did not click on it.

The Russian has seen major sponsors Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche all quickly distance themselves from her.

Sharapova, the world’s highestearning female athlete for the last 11 years, faces losing a large chunk of her income.

However, skincare firm Supergoop is standing by her.

Sharapova signed a deal to be the face of the brand, which focuses on sun safety, in 2014 as well as becoming co-owner with founder Holly Thaggard.

The International Tennis Federation, meanwhile, confirmed Sharapova missed five opportunities in December alone to learn that meldonium had become a banned substance.

It’s sort of surprising that not a lot of players have shown their support for her. CHRIS EVERT

Picture: Getty. Novak Djokovic hopes Maria Sharapova will emerge stronger after her difficulties.