Maria Sharapova has hit back at Andy Murray and other critics over her doping ban, saying “they don’t have the facts”.
Sharapova has been under the spotlight since returning to action following a 15-month suspension for taking the banned substance meldonium. Former world No1 Murray has been an outspoken critic of doping in general and Sharapova.
He defended her ban at the time, saying: “If you’re taking performance-enhancing drugs and you fail a drugs test, you have to get suspended.”
And he later questioned tournament officials for handing the Russian a wildcard on her return to action, saying: “I think you should really have to work your way back.”
Former world No5 Eugenie Bouchard has also criticised the five‑time Grand Slam champion, saying: “I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play again”.
Sharapova told the BBC: “I don’t think it’s for them to really have an opinion because they don’t have the facts. 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. I admitted my mistake and I went about it and I served my suspension and now I’m back.”
Sharapova has denied any wrongdoing but admitted “a big mistake” for taking the substance — she claims for health issues since 2006 — even after it was banned in January last year.
Despite the World Anti-Doping Agency’s stance, she has been far from contrite on her return. She added: “The problem I have with that is there’s no proof of what it does and no one can give you that proof. What is the ban based on?”
