After Maria Sharapova announced Monday that she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open, many in the media and tennis world reacted with sympathy and understanding.
As ESPN's T.J. Quinn pointed out, Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, which had been legal until two months ago. Sharapova's mistake could have been viewed as a minor slip in an otherwise impressive career, but one former tennis star wasn't so forgiving. Hall of Famer Jennifer Capriati ripped Sharapova in a series of tweets after the press conference, and while she never said Sharapova's name, it's clear Capriati was aiming her rant at the Russian star.
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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
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
i didn't have the high priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
I just think it takes away from the sport and the hard work if true. Yes its hard to be kicked when down, when injured and out
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
Capriati battled injuries and drug addiction throughout her career on the way to three Grand Slam titles. After struggling for much of the 1990s and even taking a year off from tennis in 1995, she eventually returned to the court and captured the No. 1 ranking in 2002.
It's clear that Sharapova possibly gaining an illegal advantage over her competition struck a nerve with Capriati.
The advantages are so subtle they can be just a hair width difference. that gives you only what you need to know to reach that extra level
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
Sometimes it's all about what gives you the most confidence to win
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
If this medication helped me to comeback again would everyone be alright with me taking it?
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
In my opinion of its all true every title should be stripped. This is other people's lives as well
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
Sharapova explained she had been taking meldonium since 2006 to help with various health issues and did not realize the substance became illegal at the start of the year.
"I don't want to end my career this way," Sharapova said. "I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game."
