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Eugenie Bouchard has apologized for taking a shot at Maria Sharapova and Dayana Yastremska, insisting she "did not mean to cause harm." In the Madrid first round, Bouchard defeated Yastremska 6-7 (6) 6-2 6-2. Two years ago, Yastremska was provisionally suspended for a failed doping test but had her suspension overturned after it was determined that the Ukrainian “bore no fault or negligence” for the failed test.
In 2017, Bouchard defeated Maria Sharapova in Madrid - at the time, the Russian was playing in her second tournament after returning from a doping suspension. “There’s something about playing dopers in Madrid,” Bouchard wrote in a tweet that she later deleted
Bouchard apologizes for the shot taken at Sharapova, Yastremska
"I want to apologize for my tweet yesterday.
It was a lapse in judgment, and unnecessary. Though I’ve always championed fair play, I didn’t have all my facts in order and certainly didn’t mean to cause harm. I’m going to continue to work on myself going forward, both on and off the court," Bouchard tweeted.
In the past, Bouchard had some very strong words for Sharapova. In early 2016, Sharapova tested positive for meldonium and spent the next 15 months suspended.I want to apologize for my tweet yesterday. It was a lapse in judgment, and unnecessary. Though I’ve always championed fair play, I didn’t have all my facts in order and certainly didn’t mean to cause harm.
I’m going to continue to work on myself going forward, both on and off… — Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) April 28, 2023
When Sharapova returned to action in the spring of 2017, Bouchard called her "a cheater." "She's a cheater and so to me. I don't think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again. It's so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true.
So, I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids—cheat and we'll welcome you back with open arms. I don't think that's right and [she's] definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore because that's definitely ruined it for me a little bit," Bouchard said in 2017. Meanwhile, Bouchard exited Madrid in the second round after losing to Martina Trevisan.