How does Maria Sharapova respond to becoming the sports world’s latest doping pariah, a picture of tennis glamour reduced to apologies and excuses for how a banned substance showed up in her drug test?
Retail therapy and dog cuddles.
Days after the stunning announcement she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January, Sharapova published a long Facebook post on Wednesday describing her emotional hangover and thanking her fans for their support.
“New day, new start,” the former world No. 1 wrote about Tuesday morning, following her Monday press conference in Los Angeles. “It is fair to say that this day was not average.
“The first email I immediately opened was from my best friend, you know, the type of person who can make you smile and cry with only one word and who I spent the evening on the phone with, checking up on me, how was I doing?
“I have not been online much except the odd search for a new antique coffee table (random, I know), but my friends made a collage for me with all your beautiful messages and hashtags that you created (#IStandWithMaria and #LetMariaPlay). I spent the afternoon reading them next to my dog, who couldn’t quite understand why this was more important than the walk he was expecting to take.”
The Russian faces a ban of up to four years after testing positive for meldonium, which some researchers have linked to increased athletic performance and endurance. Sharapova said she erred in not realizing the drug has been outlawed since Jan. 1, having used it for a decade on the advice of her family doctor. The International Tennis Federation’s prescribed four-year suspension can be reduced in various circumstances, such as if the player shows no significant fault or negligence.
Sharapova, a highly paid corporate pitchwoman who was dumped by many sponsors in the immediate aftermath of the drug reveal, said she’s holding out hope for a comeback and went for a workout Tuesday morning — but noticed she had company.
“Nothing came to mind at 6am, except that I am determined to play tennis again and I hope I will have the chance to do so,” she said. “I needed to sweat, to push through and grind as I have done most of my life, so I made my way to the gym. That’s when I realized a bunch of tinted windowed cars were following me. The good old paparazzi, back on the trail.”
The five-time Grand Slam champ also made sure to shout-out her supporters.
“I am so proud to call you my fans,” Sharapova wrote. “Within hours of my announcement, you showed me support and loyalty, which I could only expect to hear when someone would be at the top of their profession. I wanted to let you know that your wonderful words put a smile on my face.
“I’d like to play again and hope to have the chance to do so. Your messages give me great encouragement. This message isn’t anything else but to say thank you. Thank you very much.”
With Reuters
