Sharapova ban reactions: the social round-up

When there is breaking news in the tennis world, there is always a backlash on social media. It was no exception when Maria Sharapova was handed a two-year ban for failing a drug test…

Sharapova used the platform to share her statement:

Please see my statement on the ITF’s decision on my Facebook page: https://t.co/UuuGLCR5lY

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 8, 2016

Brit Heather Watson wanted to get involved in the discussion:

Breaking News: Maria Sharapova has received a 2 year ban from tennis for failing her drug test.~~~ Thoughts? Will she be back?

— Heather Watson (@HeatherWatson92) June 8, 2016

But Russian players Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Vesnina had #nocomments, so were avoiding the press:

@SvetlanaK27 Same thing here Sveta????15 missed calls in 40 min…

— Elena Vesnina (@EVesnina001) June 8, 2016

Legends of the sport also weighed in…

Pam Shriver believes Maria’s press conference earlier in the year hurt her:

If Maria announcement comes soon what's everyone's thoughts? If it's 2 years, then March Press conference news really hurt her.

— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) June 8, 2016

Chris Evert supported the ban:

A little surprised it's 2 yrs,but after reading the whole case, I understand. It's a long time for MS to come back. https://t.co/Tll0H2jAFT

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) June 8, 2016

After I read the report, 2 yrs made sense…a lot of holes in her defense… https://t.co/dXBMr9evir

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) June 8, 2016

While Billie Jean King offered support and kind words:

Thinking about @MariaSharapova with today's news. She accepted responsibility early on and that is a big part of her true character

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) June 8, 2016

Although the tennis world was reeling from the news, it was business as usual for most…

World No.2 Garbine Muguruza began her grass season preparation in Spain:

Hello Mallorca! Hello grass! ?????? ¡Hola Mallorca! ¡Hola hierba! pic.twitter.com/5MT3VqTqbH

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) June 8, 2016

Newly-crowned French Open doubles champion Kristina Mladenovic is also excited to be back on grass:

It’s this time of the year again ?? C’est parti pour la saison sur gazon !

A photo posted by Kristina Mladenovic (@kristinamladenovic93) on Jun 8, 2016 at 11:29am PDT

Stefan Kozlov continued his breakthrough week at s-Hertogenbosch:

First ATP quarterfinals on Friday!????????????Thanks for the opportunity @RicohOpen. #Excited

— Stefan Kozlov (@stefankozlov) June 8, 2016

Rain delayed Roger Federer’s comeback – with only seven games played in his second round match against Taylor Fritz in Stuttgart:

Not looking good for Tennis today, but so nice to be back on court. ???? pic.twitter.com/giZB1WnA4s

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 8, 2016

Unfortunately we can't play today anymore, too much of this stuff ??????????????????
See you tomorrow @MercedesCup pic.twitter.com/zXlYfpEc5Q

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) June 8, 2016

18-year-old Fritz, who wasn’t even born when Federer recorded his first ATP ranking points, is ready to try again tomorrow:

Unfortunately, play cancelled for today at the @MercedesCup ???????? Match vs. @rogerfederer will resume tomorrow afternoon ???????? #StopRaining

— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) June 8, 2016

After a first round loss earlier in the week, Genie Bouchard was trying to cheer herself up:

Sometimes you just gotta make yourself feel better! Bought myself flowers today lol pic.twitter.com/AjXXtx8JMR

— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) June 8, 2016

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova did an #askNastia Q&A session with her Twitter followers and shared a strange photo:

1st pic on my camera roll ,lol! Don't ask why! ???????? pic.twitter.com/TeubuxJO3P

— A. Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) June 8, 2016

Angelique Kerber was hanging out with #friends Sorana Cirstea and Ana Ivanovic in Spain:

Nice evening in Mallorca ?? @sorana_cirstea @AnaIvanovic #besttime #friends pic.twitter.com/LNIzP5BTzK

— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) June 8, 2016

Yaroslava Shvedova and Vera Dushevina helped Jelena Ostapenko celebrate her 19th birthday in Amsterdam:

great walk in afternoon #amsterdam and a small birthday celebration if a @jellenaa.osstapenko ? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????????? ? ????????? ???????????? ??? ???????? ????? ? @veradushevina #Holland #bday #goodtimes #nicegirls

A photo posted by Shvedova ??????? (@slavasays) on Jun 8, 2016 at 1:50pm PDT

Tomas Berdych took his wife and friends out for dinner:

Magical view from tonight dinner with friends and my wife @EsterSatorova #magical #night pic.twitter.com/XE33ui9hlO

— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) June 8, 2016

While Milos Raonic was hard at work with new mentor John McEnroe:

Putting in the time on the ????#TeamMilos pic.twitter.com/YtuWAO0z59

— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) June 8, 2016

Finally Andrea Petkovic reminded us that no matter what happens, it’s always important to laugh – even if it is at yourself.

What a talent. (LOL) pic.twitter.com/mLBMqvPyjX

— Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) June 8, 2016