Tennis
Sharapova return ‘will be hard’
Former drugs cheat Richard Gasquet speaks up
BEIJING — French tennis player Richard Gasquet — who was once banned after testing positive for cocaine — said on Wednesday that Maria Sharapova will face a "tough" return when her 15-month doping ban ends in 2016.Gasquet faced an emotional comeback himself after he tested positive for cocaine at the Miami Open in 2009."It is never easy to come back, of course. I think she had 15 months ... it’s quite long to come back [after that]. Mentally and physically it will be tough for her," Gasquet said in Beijing.The 30-year-old Frenchman was banned for just two-and-a-half months after he persuaded the International Tennis Federation’s tribunal panel that he had inadvertently ingested cocaine during a nightclub kiss with a girl who had taken the drug.Sharapova had her two-year doping ban cut to 15 months by the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday, after it ruled she was not an "intentional doper".The Russian — who is estimated to be worth $200m — said she aims to retur...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.