Maria Sharapova, one of the most iconic players in the history of tennis, aroused a sensation by crying while denouncing the lack of equity in the management of sanctions by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The former number 1 in the world has been visibly disturbed by the recent decisions which, according to him, demonstrate a clear disparity of treatment between the athletes, in particular as regards his suspension and that of other players.
Sharapova was suspended for two years after being discovered to make use of Meldonium, a drug commonly used to treat heart problems but which at the time appeared on the list of substances forbidden by the ITF. On the contrary, Jannik Sinner has been suspended for only three months for the use of doping substances, unleashing the indignation of the former Russian tennis player.
“There is no equity in tennis. The ITF has shown, once again, that there is still a sexist and disproportionate mentality. I was suspended for two years for using Meldonium, a heart drug, but Sinner was suspended only for three months for doping. This is not right,” said Sharapova in tears.
The situation triggered a heated debate on the consistency of the sanctions imposed on the players, especially if Sharapova’s actions are compared with those of other athletes. While the former tennis player used a legally prescribed drug to treat his health, Sinner has been sanctioned for the use of substances directly related to the improvement of performance, further fueling the controversies on the treatment reserved by the ITF to men and women.
“I feel deeply frustrated and disappointed. Tennis should be a sport in which all players are treated in the same way. If my sanction has been so hard, because men do not suffer the same consequences? There is clearly a prejudice and a lack of equity that I cannot help but underline,” added Sharapova.
The reaction of the former tennis player did not leave anyone indifferent. His words were taken up by many representatives of the tennis community, who criticized the disparity in the sanctions and asked for a more in -depth revision of ITF’s policies. However, there were also those who defended the organization’s decisions, claiming that the circumstances and context of each case are different.
Sharapova, one of the most successful figures of his generation, remained firm in his position and in his criticisms of what he considers an unfair system. “I cannot remain silent when I know that the rules are not applied in the same way to everyone. It is time for things to change,” he concluded with a determined look.
The controversy over the sanctions in tennis continues to be the subject of heated debates and the declarations of Sharapova have shed light on the potential injustices that persist in this sport.
