The majority of the sporting world was delighted last night when Genie Bouchard overcame Maria Sharapova in the second round of the Madrid Open. the Canadian, who's been the most outspoken current player on Sharapova's return from a 15-month drug ban a month ago.
She was quite happy about it!
How bow dah pic.twitter.com/SOAcpEWflu
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) May 8, 2017
The two embraced in a cold handshake after the match, which Bouchard won 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, but Bouchard still isn't holding back in her belief that Sharapova shouldn't be welcomed back with open arms. She claims a number of players on the tour told her privately they were rooting for her in the match.
I was inspired because I had a lot of players coming up to me privately, wishing me good luck.
They were players I don't normally speak to and I got a lot of texts from people in the tennis world that were just rooting for me. I wanted to do it for myself, but also for all these people.
Some girls in the locker room were coming up to me and really wishing me good luck which doesn't normally happen.
It showed me that most people have my opinion and they were just maybe scared to speak out.
It begs that question as to why they don't come out as strongly as Bouchard if these other players share her concerns. What exactly are they afraid of?
Asked what was said between them after their icy handshake. Bouchard replied:
She said 'well played, and I think she's been playing really well in her so-called comeback, if you want to call it that.
"So-called comeback"? Wonderful.
