Share

Capriati 'angry, disappointed' at Sharapova

Los Angeles - Former Grand Slam champion Jennifer Capriati lashed out at Maria Sharapova on Twitter on Monday after the Russian announced she had tested positive for a banned drug at the Australian Open in January.

Health24: Why did Maria Sharapova take Meldonium?

In a series of tweets that didn't mention Sharapova by name, Capriati said she was "disappointed".

"I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what," Capriati tweeted. "I had to throw in the towel and suffer.

"I didn't have the high priced team of (doctors) that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up."

During a quickly convened news conference at a Los Angeles hotel on Monday, Sharapova said she tested positive for Meldonium, a circulation-boosting drug used to treat heart ailments that was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list this year.

Sharapova said she had been taking the drug for health problems on medical advice since 2006, and through her own negligence failed to realise it had been banned.

"What's the point of someone taking a heart medicine that helps your heart recover faster unless you have a heart condition? Is that accurate," Capriati said.

"In my opinion (if) it's all true every title should be stripped. This is other people's lives as well."

At her induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012, Capriati said she felt injuries had forced her to leave the game sooner than she wanted.

She launched her career at 14, but after winning Olympic gold at Barcelona in 1992 she was sidetracked by off-court troubles, including arrests for shoplifting and marijuana possession.

She returned to tennis in 1996 and won the first of her three Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2001, adding the French Open title and another Australian crown before she retired in 2004.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE