Tennis World Stands With Sharapova And Her ‘Innocent Mistake’

Tennis greats and other athletes react to Maia Sharapova’s failed drug test.

Five-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test at this year’s Australian Open provoked a flurry of reaction on social media and beyond on Monday.

While most expressed shock and a degree of sympathy for the Russian former world number one, others were less charitable, including three-times grand slam champion Jennifer Capriati.

Im extremely angry and disappointed. I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what.i had to throw in the towel and suffer

— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016

i didn't have the high priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up

— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016

the responses are exactly what i am talking about. everything based on illusion and lie driven by the media for over 20 yrs. beyond unfair

— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016

Ex-Tennis Great Martina Navratilova

Sharapova Announces That She Failed Doping Test, -hope this gets cleared up as it seems 2 me to be an honest mistake https://t.co/nsfGkxDzGp

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 7, 2016

Hold your horses everyone- about Maria- I don't have all the facts, I hope it's an honest mistake,stuff was legal as far as I know till 2015

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 7, 2016

Former Player James Blake

Wow. Classy of @MariaSharapova to hold a press conference for this and admit making a mistake. Definitely agree that have to be aware though

— James Blake (@JRBlake) March 7, 2016

Tennis Player Ryan Harrison

Maria handled that so well. In my opinion, honest mistake from a great champion.

— Ryan Harrison (@ryanharrison92) March 7, 2016

Tennis Coach Brad Gilbert

Still stunned that nobody on Shazza team checked new list from wada, players are responsible but this is big time oversight on team as well

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 7, 2016

Australian Player Matt Ebden

Doesn't look that innocent for Sharapova or whoever else took it, this Meldonium stuff but who knows? https://t.co/IBqop5ggHZ

— Matt Ebden (@mattebden) March 7, 2016

Olympic Heptathlon Bronze Medallist Kelly Sotherton

I'm pretty sure if this was a track & field athlete they'd be getting a much rawer deal than Sharapova.However it is what it is. #Sharapova

— Kelly Sotherton (@KellySotherton) March 7, 2016

Also read:

Maria Sharapova Provisionally Suspended After Failing Dope Test