The drug test failure in 2016 turned out to be the most despairing moment in Sharapova’s career. Consequently, the positive test of meldonium developed a downward slope for her WTA ventures. When she first stepped on the professional courts after the 15-months old suspension, Maria Sharapova was labeled ‘cheater’ by Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard.

The drug, meldonium increases exercise capacity in athletes. Back then she stated she had been taking it for more than 10 years. It was all because of a magnesium deficiency and the hereditary disease of diabetes that existed in her family.

In 2017, when the five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova was given wild-card entries to some tournaments, Bouchard claimed it to be ‘unfair’.

Eugenie Bouchard criticizing Maria Sharapova

“I don’t think that’s right,” Bouchard told Turkish broadcaster TRT World in April 2017. “She is a cheater. 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.”

While grouping up Bouchard drew inspiration from the former World Number one Sharapova. “She is my idol, and I look up to her, especially her game style. I try to play like her,” the Canadian stated in 2013. And she was obliged when the world drew parallels of her and Sharapova’s game.

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But after Maria failed the drug-test those idolizing words from Genie were transformed into bitter. And she claimed ‘she doesn’t look up to her anymore.’

“I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids: ‘Cheat and we will welcome you back with open arms.’ I don’t think that’s right. And definitely she is not someone I can say I look up to anymore,” Bouchard said.

After the release of the suspension ban, Maria Sharapova won a title in Tianjin, China. And nearly after 28 months of her title victory in China, she announced her retirement from professional tennis.

On Monday, Maria Sharapova made her first public appearance as a former professional tennis player. She was in San Diego, California in an event organized by World Team Tennis.