It is a dream comeback to the tour for Maria Sharapova after her 15-month ban. The former world No.1 illustrated her potential to return to the top with a straight sets win over Roberta Vinci at the Stuttgart Open. Sharapova’s return attracted an incredible group of roughly 200 journalists from around the world. Inevitably, her post-match press conference promised a lot and to an extent, it delivered. Below are six things we have learnt from the five-time grand slam champion.
What does she take instead of Meldonium?
Until it was officially banned on January 1st, 2016, Sharapova used Meldonium for a ten-year period. She was originally prescribed the heart drug after a series of the flu and colds ‘started to harm her body.’ Furthermore, she consumed the substance due to a magnesium deficiency and a family history of diabetes.
So what has replaced the drug? On Wednesday Sharapova remained coy and refrained from talking about the subject.
“The information is between myself, the WTA and the orthopaedic doctor that I’m working with now.” She said.
She is prepared to play grand slam qualifying
With the French Open just over a month away, speculation had mounted about whether officials will grant the former world No.1 a wildcard into the main draw. One source has told The Times newspaper that Sharapova might instead be given a pass into the qualifying rounds, a prospect she is ready for.
“I think I be prepared to play in the juniors if I had to.” She replied when asked about participating in qualifying. “I think everybody in this room (the media room) knows what a competitor I am and I don’t take anything for granted.”
“If I get the opportunity to be in a draw, then I will take it.” She added.
Has played down the significance of her wildcards
The debate surrounding Sharapova’s passes into the tournament has divided the sport. Some have welcomed her return, but some have spoken against her entry. Critics have argued that it sends out the wrong message giving wildcards to players convicted of doping offences. Furthermore, this week the Russian was still banned from the tour during the first two days of the Stuttgart tournament.
“I don’t think that’s right,” Eugenie Bouchard recently said of the Russian’s return. “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. Unfair to all these players who do it the right way and are true.”
Despite the numerous criticisms, 30-year-old Sharapova is remaining resilient on the topic. Addressing the subject diplomatically, she refused to speak about specific player comments.
“I’m being offered wildcards from tournament directors and I’m accepting them to be able to compete in the draw.” A calm Sharapova argued. “I’m coming (to Stuttgart) with no ranking and I’m not getting a wildcard to receive a trophy or a golden platter.”
“I have to get through the matches and I still have to win them. That’s my job.”
Refuses to condemn her agent
Max Eisenbud, a man once in charge of monitoring the list of banned substances for Sharapova, recently hit out at Agnieszka Radwanska. The Wimbledon runner-up weighed-in on the wildcard debate, arguing against giving one to Sharapova for grand slam tournaments. Eisenbud hit back by describing both Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki as ‘journeymen.’
With her return days away, Sharapova’s agent Max Eisenbud decided to break his silence after these comments from Radwanska. Here he goes: pic.twitter.com/WXUVxooeK5
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 21 April 2017
The comments obviously attracted media attention, but Sharapova is refusing to criticise her agent.
“I don’t control my manager’s words and I’m sure he’s been watching everybody comments in the last 15 months. He’s entitled to his own opinion. I don’t control his opinion.” She said.
She isn’t bitter
15 months away from the tour and a continuation of a war of words with the International Tennis Federation have failed to derail Sharapova’s mentality. She could easily continue to be enraged by the incident, but instead she has decided to take the high road.
“I’m not an individual that’s angry or bitter.” She said. “I let things go pretty quickly and move onto the next page. Over the past many months I’ve been very present in everything that I have done. There’s a lot of things I did that I probably would have never done in my twenties.”
“As a woman, as a 29-year-old it was very liberating.”
She doesn’t care what people think
‘I can’t control what people think’ was the response from a defiant Sharapova. Described by some other players on the tour as ‘unfriendly’, the Russian is a firm believer of professionalism in sports. Some players might be affected by the negativity in the locker-room, but Sharapova isn’t one of them. Well, that is what she has us all to believe at least.
“It’s not my job to think what a person thinks or not. That’s not what matters. Words and quotes and articles is not that matters in life. I’ve learnt that very well in the past year.” She explained.
“At the end of the day what matters is that I’m on the court. I do my job and my job consists of practising.”
