SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale

Popular This Week

Net Notes - A Tennis Now Blog

Net Posts

Industry Insider - A Tennis Now Blog

Industry Insider

Second Serve - A Tennis Now Blog

Second Serve

 

Djokovic, Del Potro Support Sharapova


Maria Sharapova launched her exhibition comeback at World TeamTennis' Smash Hits in Las Vegas Monday night.

Sharapova received the support of a pair of Grand Slam champions in Shanghai.

Watch: Maria Sharapova Rips ITF, ITF Strikes Back

Both world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro wished the 29-year-old Russian well in her comeback.

Reiterating remarks he made at Indian Wells earlier this season, Djokovic praised Sharapova, his fellow Head endorser, for handling herself "with dignity" following her two-year doping ban after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. Sharapova won a partial appeal of her suspension, which was reduced to 15 months.

"You know, from my opinion, I see that it was no intention in doing that, because the rules changed this year, but it was an error and mistake that she and her team, you know, in a way had to take the consequences and pay for and the suspension is there rightly so," Djokovic said. "And she, I think, was, in a way, courageous enough to come out and admit before anything was heard of this case.

"So in that way, I thought she handled herself with the dignity, which is for praise, but I think she’s also aware of the mistake. So then the rules are there to be followed."





Del Potro said Sharapova's return to the pro circuit next April will be good for the game.

"I think they cut or they make short the suspension, and I think for the tennis world is gonna be nice to see her back on tour," del Potro said. "Everybody's waiting for her. I don’t know what’s happened, but I wish all the best to her."

Photo credit: Head


Posted: