Head Rackets Will Stand By Maria Sharapova Saying She Has Earned “Benefit Of The Doubt”
Posted by Tom Gainey on March 10th, 2016 @ 9:30 am
While several of Maria Sharapova’s multi-million dollar sponsors have distanced themselves from the tainted star, racket maker Head has decided to stand by the Russian and even extend her contract, backing her 100% and laying out part of what will be Sharapova’s defense in the weeks and months ahead.
The statement from CEO Johan Eliasch:
Remarkable statement of support from Sharapova sponsor Head. Dosage level should be
…
Maria Sharapova Pens Letter To Fans – This Time She Opened Her Emails!
Posted by Tom Gainey on March 10th, 2016 @ 9:10 am
Maria Sharapova posted a letter of thanks to her on her website yesterday. The former No. 1 continues to show contrition after announcing Monday that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open. Will this letter do any good? At least in this case she opened the email!
I woke up yesterday morning with an inbox, in full capacity of love and compassion.
The first email I immediately opened …
Del Potro Opens Play Thursday At Indian Wells, Robson Returns; Fritz v Tiafoe
Posted by Staff on March 10th, 2016 @ 12:24 am
Tired of the Maria Sharapova doping scandal? Of course you are! Rejoice, Indian Wells starts in full Thursday as the men open up first round play.
Among those in action will be former US Open champion and Indian Wells finalist Juan Martin del Potro who resumes his comeback against American qualifier Tim Smyczek.
The last time del Potro played Indian Wells he reached the finals in 2013 losing to Rafael Nadal …
Justine Henin, Marat Safin Will Got Into The Tennis Hall Of Fame This Summer
Posted by Tom Gainey on March 9th, 2016 @ 10:21 am
The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced the class of 2016 and in includes former No. 1s Justine Henin and Marat Safin.
Justine Henin, 33, of Belgium, was the world No. 1 player for 117 weeks. She was the year-end No. 1 three times, clinching the top spot in 2003, 2006, and 2007 and was a 7-time Grand Slam champion.
“It’s a big honor. I was five years old when I started …
Indian Wells Draw: Former Champions Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal Headline Field
Posted by Sean Randall on March 8th, 2016 @ 10:09 pm
Rivals, er, Tri-vals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray headline the first ATP Masters event of the 2016 season starting Thursday in Indian Wells.
Djokovic has won the title four times including the two while Nadal is a 3-time champion most recently in 2013. Murray’s never won reaching the final just once in 2009, but with the absence of 4-time champ, 2-time runner-up Roger Federer, the door is open for …
Maria Sharapova Takes The Blame For Failed Drug Test, Will She Also Take The Fall?
Posted by Sean Randall on March 8th, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
Many of you wanted heads on a stick. Well, now you got one. Yesterday, the much-maligned anti-doping program snared its biggest catch yet, global superstar Maria Sharapova.
In a surprise press conference at an LA hotel, Sharapova confessed that she messed up. The 5-time Grand Slam champion who seems to be always in control of the things she can control like press conferences, like her words, like her sponsors, like …
Serena Leads, Sharapova Drugged Out of Indian Wells; Preview
Posted by Jeremy Davis on March 8th, 2016 @ 12:25 pm
I can tell you that Maria Sharapova doesn’t have a difficult draw in Indian Wells — because she’s not here! Boom!
What, too early for Maria jokes?
Hey, just because you got caught taking a drug that is really a performance-enhancing stimulant for the majority of your career doesn’t mean you’re guilty. That’s just using your cash and team of chemists to stay ahead of the curve, right? Just because the majority …
Players React On Social Media To Maria Sharapova’s Drug Admission
Posted by Tom Gainey on March 8th, 2016 @ 9:04 am
While it’s a sensitive topic right now, several players both past and present took to twitter to voice their disappointment over Maria Sharapova’s bombshell announcement yesterday that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.
In addition to Jennifer Capriati’s rant, here are others:
Very disappointed waking up to hear the news about @MariaSharapova …
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) March 8, 2016…
Maria Sharapova’s Sponsorship Woes: Nike, Porsche Suspend Relationship, Tag Heuer Won’t Renew
Posted by Tom Gainey on March 8th, 2016 @ 8:52 am
Maria Sharapova’s bombshell doping announcement yesterday is already hitting her in the bank account. The richest female athlete on the planet has seen three of her main sponsors take action in less than 24 hours.
Nike, which signed the Russian to an 8-year, $70 million dollar deal in 2010 has suspended (not ended) their relationship with Sharapova pending the outcome of final verdict which could be as long as a …
Jennifer Capriati Rips Into Maria Sharapova Over Drug Violation
Posted by Staff on March 7th, 2016 @ 7:15 pm
Perhaps needing her own meds, former tennis star Jennifer Capriati took out her frustrations on twitter over the stunning announcement of Maria Sharapova’s doping violation.
Here’s Capriati’s series of tweets presented in chronological order from this afternoon:
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
i didn’t have the high priced team of …
Maria Sharapova Announces She Failed A Drug Test At The Australian Open [Video]
Posted by Staff on March 7th, 2016 @ 3:37 pm
In stunning news, Maria Sharapova announced today in Los Angeles that she failed a drug test after her loss at the Australian Open to Serena Williams on January 26. Sharapova received notice of the offense from the ITF last Wednesday on March 2.
March Sharapova had been taking the drug meldonium (or mildronate) since 2006 for various health issues, but the 28-year-old, she admitted, failed to examine an email from …
Svitolina Beats Bouchard for WTA KL Title; Watson Wins Monterrey
Posted by Staff on March 7th, 2016 @ 9:30 am
Svitolina Comeback Beats Bouchard for WTA KL Title
Former Top 10er Genie Bouchard failed to turn around a winless head-to-head against Elina Svitolina on Sunday at the BMW Malaysian Open, failing to close out a set and a break lead in falling to Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-5.
“Emotionally, I’m really exhausted now,” Svitolina said after clinching a fourth career crown and first of 2016. “It was a long day. The …
Heroics by Djokovic, Murray Set Up Clash; Davis Cup Wrap
Posted by Staff on March 6th, 2016 @ 3:14 pm
GREAT BRITAIN d. JAPAN 3-1
Andy Murray carries the water, winning his first singles over Tao Daniel, winning the doubles with brother Jamie, and on Sunday grinding out a five-set win over Kei Nishikori 7-5, 7-6(6), 3-6, 4-6, 6-3 to clinch it in the first Sunday singles for Britain.
“The crowd helped for sure,” Murray told BBC Sport. “Physically I struggled a little at the end of the third set and a …
Maria Sharapova To Hold Press Conference Monday To Announce… Retirement?
Posted by Tom Gainey on March 6th, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
Maria Sharapova has announced that she will hold a press conference on Monday at 3pm ET, according to her website.
The press event will be streamed live on her website and also broadcast on the Tennis Channel. With all the coverage and interest, rumors are rampant that the 28-year-old will announce her retirement from the game.
Sharapova has played just four events since Wimbledon, that due to leg injury which …
Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios In Feud Over “Fake Injury”
Posted by Staff on March 6th, 2016 @ 11:07 am
If there was any kind of friendship between tennis bad boys Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios, that’s over. After Kyrgios missed Australia’s Davis Cup tie this weekend due to a mysterious virus, Tomic questioned his countryman’s ailment.
Tomic lost to John Isner Sunday to give the USA a 3-1 win in Melbourne. Tomic, who was playing with an injured wrist, then took out his frustrations on Kyrgios who had played so …