Throughout the majority of her pro tennis career, Serena Williams has been Maria Sharapova’s biggest rival. The two tennis superstars have met 21 times over the past twelve years, with Serena winning 19 of those 21 matchups. Most recently, Williams defeated Sharapova in the quarterfinal round of the 2016 Australian Open. And off the tennis court, the two women have not always been huge fans of each other either. So it was interesting to see what Serena had to say about Sharapova amidst her confession earlier this week to taking the banned substance meldonium.
Williams met with the press in New York on Tuesday and was asked about her thoughts on Sharapova’s drug scandal. “Most people were surprised and shocked by Maria, but at the same time, most people were happy that she was upfront and very honest and showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and had neglected to look at in terms of the list at the end of the year. With that being said, it’s just taking responsibility which she has admitted that she was willing to do and ready to do,” she said.
“In sport and in life, there’s always a double standard,” Williams added. “Everyone knows that, whether it’s a race thing or sex thing. However, this is a different thing. As Maria said, she’s ready to take responsibility. And that takes courage and heart.”
When asked if she felt she was at a disadvantage when playing against Sharapova because of the PEDs, she declined to comment.
Since coming out on Monday about testing positive for meldonium, Sharapova has been feeling the backlash, both financially and professionally. She has been dropped by big time sponsors including Nike, TAG Heuer and Porsche. Additionally, she will be suspended from all tennis tournaments beginning March 12 and could face up to a 4-year ban.
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