Maria Sharapova (zimbio.com)
Maria Sharapova has declared that her passion for tennis has intensified during her suspension in a heartfelt letter for The Players Tribune.
Sharapova return to the tour in April after serving a 15-month doping ban for testing positive for Meldonium. Throughout the case she has argued that she didn’t not intentionally consume the drug to enhance her performance and was unaware it became a prohibited substance. An argument that managed to successfully persuade the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reduce her two-year ban to 15 months.
Returning to the tour, the Russian was faced by many critics both on and off the court. Some were critical that tournaments has awarded Sharapova a wild card despite her doping suspension. Caroline Wozniacki once said that awarding passes to players that have violated anti-doping rules is ‘disrespectful to other players and the WTA.’ Throughout the criticism Sharapova appeared defiant and resilient. Although looks can be deceiving.
“The truth is, I feel vulnerable all the time — no different from any other person. And the walls I’ve built around myself … they aren’t nearly as impenetrable as people think. Things still get through, and still make me feel certain ways.” She wrote.
Responding to her critics, Sharapova has vowed not to hit back at them. Recently Eugenie Bouchard, one of her most outspoken critics, reiterated that she should be banned from the sport. There has been many opportunities for the Russian to give a sharp response similar to that one she said about the ITF last year. Instead, she chooses to take the high road.
“I’ve always tried to keep a generous attitude toward critics in general — whoever they are, and whenever they’ve been there. I’ve never wanted to respond to the people trashing me by trashing them back; that’s always been important to me.”
The 30-year-old has played three tournaments since her comeback before a thigh injury forced her to miss the grass-court swing. Her best performance was reaching the quarter-finals at the Stuttgart Open.
Despite her army of fans and popularity in the sports world, Sharapova says she likes having a sense of mystery surrounding her. She doesn’t want to be known, loved or even understood by everyone. An intriguing statement from a player who was the highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years according to forbes.com.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
There appears to be no deterioration in the love the former world No.1 has for tennis. She still feels that she belongs on the biggest tennis courts in the world contesting for the biggest titles. Citing Wimbledon as an example.
“I always want to be playing in big-time matches, and I know that that will always come with big-time attention. I’ve never wanted a life that plays out on court 18. Center court, for me, is where I feel at home.” She said.
So what has Sharapova learned from the suspension? The obvious answer is to check the list of prohibited substances more thoroughly. Another is something that is meaningful for the rest of her career. That is a person doesn’t how much something means to them until it is gone.
“These last two years have been tougher — so much tougher — than I ever could have anticipated … my passion for the game has never wavered. If anything, it’s only grown stronger.” She concluded.
Sharapova will return to the court next week at the Bank of West Classic, a tournament she reached the final at back in 2010.