THE fall-out from the Maria Sharapova affair continued apace last night as Andy Murray admitted he could leave one of his sponsors and a leading French player launched a scathing attack on the Russian.
Sharapova announced on Monday that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, saying she had not read an email telling her the drug was added to Wada’s list in January. The Russian, who says she has been taking the medication for 10 years for a number of health issues, began a provisional ban yesterday and could be suspended for up to four years.
Nike, Porsche and Tag Heuer have all announced they are suspending their sponsorship of the former world No 1 but Murray slammed Head after they said they planned to extend her deal. The Scot added that he would consider leaving any of his sponsors if he felt strongly that their ethics did not match his.
“I guess it’s possible,” Murray said in Indian Wells, where he was due to begin his title bid last night. “I haven’t thought about that yet but it’s possible.”
Breaking up with Head would be an expensive decision, but Murray has long been motivated by more than money. The Scot was among the strongest in his reaction to the Sharapova case, saying that nothing less than a ban would be the fitting punishment.
Men’s No 1 Novak Djokovic says he feels sympathetic towards Sharapova, as a friend, having known her for a long time, but admitted she had to face the consequences. But last night, leading French player Kristina Mladenovic said all the players felt Sharapova had been bending the rules.
“You sure doubt and think that she didn’t deserve all she won until now,” she said. “That’s dreadful, but it’s good that it’s finally out. She can play with words and find a good lawyer but on the prin- ciples of the situation, she’s wrong,” Mladenovic said. “She has no excuse that can defend what she’s done. For me there’s no doubt.
“As far as I am concerned if I take an aspirin I worry. 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. For me that’s very disappointing. I don’t like the mentality to be the best by playing with the rules.
“She wasn’t really liked. I res- pected her for her career but she wasn’t really nice nor polite, let’s be honest. At least the good news to come out of all of this is that the anti-doping programme 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.”
Murray, meanwhile, has added the former British Davis Cup player Jamie Delgado to his coaching team. Delgado will travel with Murray, both to tournaments and training camps, for around 40 weeks per year, working alongside head coach Amelie Mauresmo, who has committed to working 22-24 weeks in 2016.
“Obviously communication with him is good because I’ve known him for a long time,” said Murray, who lost in the first round of the doubles with Colin Fleming on Friday. “We did about 10 days training before the Davis Cup which I enjoyed.”
Britain’s women’s No 1 Jo Konta made a confident start to her campaign, beating American Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-0.
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