Maria Sharapova’s achievements make her one of the best athletes in the history of the sport. With a career-high ranking of No. 1 in the world, a career Grand Slam and a total of five Grand Slam titles, an Olympic silver medal and a WTA Finals title, she has accomplished a lot.
Sharapova also attracted widespread media attention with her good looks and bubbly personality. Her business acumen also served her well. Her determination and focus in the game have won her many championships.
However, Sharapova’s relationship with her teammates has been tense at times. Therefore, they did not hesitate to voice their opinions against her. To that point, here are five incidents in which the Russian was criticized by his teammates:
#5 – “Too Loud” – Agnieszka Radwanska on Maria Sharapova’s grunts
It’s easy to know when Sharapova is on the court, as her distinctive purr makes everyone aware of her presence. While quite a few players make some noise when hitting the ball, the Russian is often singled out for her decibel levels.
Radwanska expressed her displeasure at the 2012 Australian Open. She also complained about Sharapova grunting loudly in the post-match meeting after losing to Victoria Azarenka in the match.
“About Maria (Sharapova), I mean, what can I say? It’s really annoying and it’s too loud.” – Agnieszka Radwanska on Maria Sharapova The baby’s cooing.
When asked about Radwanska’s objection to her purring, Sharapova fired back with a rebuttal of her own.
“Hasn’t she already returned to Poland?” – Maria Sharapova on Agnieszka Radwanska
While Radwanska lost in the quarterfinals in Melbourne, Sharapova reached the final. The Russian’s now-infamous jibe referred to her opponents failing in front of her.
#4 – “I think it’s a questionable thing” – Caroline Wozniacki on the preferential treatment Maria Sharapova received after returning from drug ban
After the 2016 Australian Open, Sharapova was found to have violated anti-doping regulations and was suspended for more than a year. Her return to tennis was met with equal parts enthusiasm and scorn.
Sharapova’s reputation has been tarnished by accusations of serial cheating. In 2017, she returned during the clay court season. During that year’s U.S. Open, Wozniacki was furious that the Russian was being assigned center court after returning from a drug ban.
“When you look at Center Court – and I totally understand the business side of things and everything – but a guy who comes back from a drug regime, performance-enhancing drugs, and then all of a sudden starts playing every game on Center Court, I think that is a questionable thing.” – Caroline Wozniacki on Maria Sharapova’s prime-time moment at U.S. Open
Sharapova later said she was even willing to play in a parking lot as long as she could compete.
#3 – “I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play the sport again” – Eugenie Bouchard on Maria Sharapova’s drug ban
After Sharapova received the anti-drug order, the knife was unsheathed. Bouchard rose to prominence in 2014 with some impressive results, but was unable to recover in the following years. She had some selective words to say about the Russians’ crimes:
“I don’t think it’s right. She’s a cheater, so to me, I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to compete in the sport again. It’s too much for all the other athletes who do this. Unfair the right way.” —Eugenie Bokuhard on Maria Sharapova
Fortunately, Sharapova returned home and drew with Bouchard in the second round of the 2017 Madrid Open. The latter finally achieved his first victory against a Russian player after losing all four previous games.
Sharapova, meanwhile, maintained a dignified silence on Bouchard’s claims and never responded directly.
#2 – “It’s not right to help a player who is suspended for doping” – Simona Halep welcomes Russians in tennis
Even after her doping ban, Sharapova’s popularity remained intact. At the end of the day, tennis is a business and tournaments are eager to have big names like the Russian on the circuit.
Halep wasn’t too thrilled with the warm reception Sharapova received upon her return, and she didn’t mince words on the matter:
“It’s not okay for kids, for young players, to help a wildcard player who’s been suspended for doping. This is not about Maria Sharapova, it’s about everyone who’s been caught doping. Players. I can’t support what the tournament director did, but I can’t judge either.” – Simona Halep on Maria Sharapova getting wild card to tournament
Halep herself was suspended in October 2022 after testing positive for a banned substance. A year later, her ban from the sport was upheld, although she is fighting it.
#1 – “This book is 100% hearsay” – Serena Williams on Maria Sharapova’s autobiography
The rivalry between Williams and Sharapova has captured the attention of viewers since their first meeting in 2004. The American defeated her younger rival after losing several matches to her that year.
Although Sharapova was suspended, she took time to focus on her other interests and even wrote an autobiography. The book was published in 2017 and Williams plays a large part in it. The American was unhappy with everything she read about her in the book.
Tensions are already high as the two are set to face off at the 2018 French Open, their first meeting in more than two years. When asked about Sharapova’s memoir, Williams dismissed it as pure speculation.
“The book is 100 percent hearsay, at least from everything I’ve read and the quotes I’ve read, which is a little disappointing” – Williams on Sharapova’s autobiography
Williams was unable to face Sharapova in Paris that year, as Sharapova suffered an injury and the match ended in a draw before the fourth round. Both players have now retired from the sport and their relationship appears to be in a better place.