Head Rackets Will Stand By Maria Sharapova Saying She Has Earned “Benefit Of The Doubt”

Maria has been an extraordinary role model not only for children in tennis but for people taking responsibility for world- wide issues- Chernobyl for example. She faces a very difficult time in her career now in dealing with ambiguous and changing drug regulations. She’s chosen to take the “high road” and not only accept full responsibility for her role in the situation but she continues to set an impeccable example for how a sportsperson not only takes responsibility but also is looking out for how all involved come out of the situation in a better place- the tennis organizations, the players, the rules and the kids. Bravo to Maria, a role model for our times in all sports and public responsibility. We will all be better off for the position she is taking!
Michael Bobrow

March 10th, 2016 at 11:31 am

This is a good sign – together with the fact that (unlike TAG Heuer) Nike and Porsche had only suspended their relationship with her, tells me that the punishment may indeed by measured, as it should be in my opinion.

March 10th, 2016 at 12:03 pm

Brave of Head!

I think 2 things will determine the narrative:
1. Dosage
2. Has she always been declaring her usage of the drug

I want to believe this is an honest mistake.

March 10th, 2016 at 12:11 pm

WOW,

Head is a brave sponsor that is for sure.

I hope this to be an honest mistake from Sharapova. Don’t you feel it in your gut, everyone? That this IS an honest mistake? When you compare to other sportspersons who have been busted –

It just does not stand easy when you talk about this athlete.

I may be completely wrong. I hope I am not.

The dosage point is crucial.

March 10th, 2016 at 12:33 pm

Porsche: I could not afford one for myself, so I do not care…

But I do know for sure, I will never buy “Nike” things anymore….I understood they need perfection, so I guess I do not deserve, to buy them.
So, dear Nike: FY!

March 10th, 2016 at 12:55 pm

Wow, just wow, what a statment to be commended. Head wouldn’t make that kind of statement and decision if they didn’t have access to all details of Maria’s case and without consultation with thei legal team, that’s how you do it.
Somebody mentioned TAG, to my understanding they didn’t cancel the contract, it was none since it expired few months ago, they cancelled negotiations for the new one.
Once the case is finished I don’t have doubt in my mind that Nike and others will reinstate their contracts, it was just PC gesture.

March 10th, 2016 at 2:21 pm

very interesting point about dosage. this has never been raised before in the things that i’ve noticed or read, unless i missed it. if a person needs to take daily doses in excess of 1000-2000 mg then surely they could check this against maria’s medical records. so it’s good information to have, regardless of what they discover in sharapova’s case.

and yeah, this is certainly a brave statement by head, esp when things are so up in the air.

March 10th, 2016 at 2:31 pm

Wasn’t that the reason why they let Cilic of the hook, the dose?
I think Head did their homework properly.

March 10th, 2016 at 2:45 pm

Andy Murray has expressed his opinion on this and I agree with him for slamming his own racket sponsor.

Dose? She tested positive, that’s enough to give her the punishment. And who is going to tell them what dose Maria was taking? Maria? Her doctor? How can you accurately determine the dosage one takes based on the level one finds in the system.

What is more important is if there is any medical indication for Maria to take the drug. I see none. She has no heart disease. She is too young and too physically active to have coronary artery disease. Irregular heart rhythm- is this a serious or a benign irregularity? The latter does not need treatment. For the former, Meldonium is not used for that. She has no way out that’s why she had to do that PR stunt to appear innocent and no culpuble. Her only way out is if ITF will turn a blind eye. It always does so I would not be surprised. But anything less than a 2 year suspension will put the credibility of ITF in promulgating their rules against doping.

March 10th, 2016 at 6:44 pm

“I think Head did their homework properly”
And Nike didn’t? TAG Heuer? Porsche?
Surrree ;). Maybe Head hasn’t done their homework properly.

March 10th, 2016 at 7:11 pm

^^ very possible they haven’t since their reaction was immediately after Maria announced she tested positive, on the other side Head gave it a few days before they made their statment, after consultation with Maria and her team, that’s how you do the business, not just to react to please the public and then when everything is over quietly reinstate contract like nothing happened, what they are going to do, pretty sleazy, at least Head stood by their client.

March 10th, 2016 at 7:21 pm

^^just to add, if they are so PC, why didn’t they cancel her contract?

March 10th, 2016 at 7:23 pm

“very possible they haven’t since their reaction was immediately after Maria announced she tested positive, ”

I say very impossible. She probably called her sponsors first. No way she let them no via a public press conference.

March 10th, 2016 at 7:35 pm

I say very possible.

What are you going to now, keep coming back and forth, you are funny dude:) like a little kid.

March 10th, 2016 at 7:40 pm

^^ “to do now”

March 10th, 2016 at 7:40 pm

More respect for Murray and Nadal for their stand on this doping issue. If you want integrity in this sport, punish those who break the rules. I’m surprised at some people here who claim to love the sport but are now obviously looking the other way simply because it is a top player that is involved. What kind of integrity is that that can be easily swayed by the chicanery of a celebrity and her people’s PR machinations?

March 10th, 2016 at 8:14 pm

WB,
You constantly assume in your arguments so no one else can? That is like a littler kid.

March 10th, 2016 at 8:43 pm