Eugenie Bouchard took what appeared a very direct shot at Maria Sharapova following her Madrid first-round win. On Thursday, Bouchard defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-7 (6) 6-2 6-2 for her first WTA 1000 main draw win since 2017 Madrid.
In 2016, Sharapova tested positive for Meldonium and she was banned from tennis for 15 months. In 2021, Yastremska tested positive for the anabolic steroid mesterolone – the Ukrainian later had her suspension overturned after it was determined that she “bore no fault or negligence” for the failed test.
When Sharapova returned to action from a doping ban, Bouchard called the Russian “a cheater.” “There’s something about playing dopers in Madrid,” Bouchard wrote in a since-deleted tweet.
Bouchard reignites the old feud with Sharapova
In 2017 April, Sharapova made her return to action on the clay courts of Stuttgart.
When Bouchard was asked about the Sharapova return, the Canadian didn’t mince words. “She’s a cheater and so to me. I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again. It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true.
So, I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids—cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms. I don’t think that’s right and [she’s] definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore because that’s definitely ruined it for me a little bit,” Bouchard said in 2017.
After making her return to action in Stuttgart, Sharapova also competed in Madrid. In Madrid, Sharapova won her first-round match to set up a second-round meeting against Sharapova. After calling out Sharapova, Bouchard defeated the Russian on the clay courts of Madrid 7-5 2-6 6-4.
Sharapova played pro tennis for three more years before retiring from the game after the 2020 Australian Open.
