By Chris Oddo | Sunday March 13, 2016
Kristina Mladenovic aired out her most critical thoughts on Maria Sharapova's drug suspension in French Paper Le Parisien.
Photo Source: Christopher Levy
France’s Kristina Mladenovic made big waves on Sunday when an article including some highly critical comments about Maria Sharapova was published by the French newspaper Le Parisien.
Full Translated Comments at News.Com.Au Here
“All the other players are saying she’s a cheater,” Mladenovic told the paper. “You sure doubt and think that she didn’t deserve all she won until now. That’s dreadful, but it’s good that it’s finally out.”
Mladenovic, 22, says she has no sympathy for Sharapova’s apparent oversight, which led to her testing positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year’s Australian Open.
“As far as I am concerned if I take an aspirin I worry 10 times about what I do,” she said. “She’s been taking this drug for 10 years and it’s a serious drug. She has played with the rules and thought, if it’s not banned, then I can take it.
“She can play with words and find a good lawyer but on the principles of the situation, she’s wrong. She has no excuse that can defend what she’s done. For me there’s no doubt.”
The Frenchwoman, who lost to Sharapova in their only meeting at Wimbledon in 2013, says Sharapova isn’t well-liked in the WTA locker room. The Russian has always had a reputation for keeping to herself and staying within her close-knit entourage.
“She wasn’t really liked,” Mladenovic said. “I respected her for her career but she wasn’t really nice nor polite, let’s be honest.”
Like many other players have said this week, Mladenovic sees the Sharapova suspension as a positive sign that the sport’s anti-doping program is doing its job.
“At least the good news to come out of all of this is that the anti-doping program is working and that even if you’re among the best players you’re going to get caught and it’s going to get out.”