Nadal says Sharapova ‘should be punished’ to set an example

Agence France-Presse

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Nadal says Sharapova ‘should be punished’ to set an example
The 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal lauds the sport's anti-doping program, saying the sport must keep a clean image

INDIAN WELLS, USA – Spain’s Rafael Nadal is one of the tennis players who have been rocked by Maria Sharapova’s admission that she had failed a drug at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Sharapova’s positive test for meldonium was the talk of the locker room as the hardcourt tournament at Indian Wells got underway on Wednesday.

Sharapova, who is suspended by the International Tennis Federation pending further investigation, says she had taken the circulation-boosting drug used to treat heart ailments since 2006, but had not spotted that it was added to the banned list as of January 1.

The 14-time Grand Slam champ Nadal said Sharapova’s positive test is a black eye on the sport, and that she deserves to be punished as an example to others. 

“She should be punished,” Nadal said.

“I want to believe it is a mistake for Maria. She didn’t want to do it. But obviously it is negligence. She must pay for it.

“It is terrible news for our sport. It is terrible because our sport must be clean and look clean.

“The good news is we have a good anti-doping program.”

(WATCH: Rafael Nadal, uncle Toni teach young Filipina to play tennis)

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova said she was “shocked” and world number 3 Agnieszka Radwanska described it as a “sad day for tennis”.

Radwanska said she was in the locker room in Indian Wells with a group of WTA players getting ready train for this week’s tournament in southern California when she heard the news on Monday.

“It is a sad day for tennis,” she said on Wednesday. “Nobody expected that. We are all waiting to see what they are going to do about it.”

Czech Kvitova said Sharapova has made a “huge mistake” by not paying more attention to what drugs are on the banned list.

“We should all know what we are putting into our body,” she said. “It was a huge mistake and she is taking responsibility for it.”

Sponsors have distanced themselves from Maria Sharapova after her shock announcement. Photo by MAST IRHAM/EPA

Sponsors of the world’s highest-earning sportswoman Sharapova immediately distanced themselves, with Nike, Porsche and TAG Heuer all halting their relationships with the former world number one.

The 5-time Grand Slam winner could face a ban of up to 4 years, although her lawyer John J. Haggerty told the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday that he believed she can plead mitigating circumstances and receive a lesser punishment.

“There is no evidence whatsoever that this was intentional on Maria’s behalf,” Haggerty said.

Sharapova, whose on-court prowess and business savvy have brought her an estimated personal fortune of $200 million, wrote on her Facebook page that she woke up early Wednesday morning determined to fight through the scandal and eventually continue her storied career.

“New day, new start. It is fair to say that this day was not average,” Sharapova wrote. “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.

“I wish I didn’t have to go through this, but I do – and I will.”

The majority of the players who spoke to reporters on Wednesday chose their words carefully when speaking about Sharapova, most expressing shock but adding that it is up to the individual to check which drugs are on the banned substance list.

The players were speaking at the tournament in the California desert which which brings together the top players from both the women’s and men’s tours.

The women’s main draw began Wednesday while the men kick off their first round Thursday in one of the biggest events of the season outside of the four Grand Slams.

Kvitova said Sharapova’s failed test shows that the doping control officials are on top of things.

“This is an example that they are doing everything to have a clean sport. I think the system is working.”

The 28-year-old Sharapova admitted she has been taking the now banned drug for about 10 years.

Former US Open singles champion Svetlana Kuznetsova said Sharapova should not be tried in public and her fate should be left in the hands of tennis officials.

“First of all, I want to say that Maria is a great athlete and even this “strange mistake” will not be able to outshine all of what she has achieved in tennis,” Russia’s Kuznetsova said on her Twitter account.

“And most importantly none of us, especially me, have no rights to comment on this story – not to criticize or evaluate Maria. The doping agency has to see this case not others.” – Rappler.com


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