After 15 months out of action due to a doping suspension, Maria Sharapova made her return with a first round win against Roberta Vinci at the Porsche Grand Prix.
The Russian was banned after testing positive for meldonium, a substance which was only added to the banned list last year. Sharapova claimed she did not know meldonium had been added to the list. She also claimed that she had been taking the substance to alleviate health issues.
Sharapova's match against Vinci took place just hours after the suspension had been lifted.
World number 59 Eugenie Bouchard is one of those who believes Sharapova should not have been welcomed back by the tennis community.
Asked by TRT World what she made of the decision to allow the return of someone she once idolised, the Canadian did not hold fire.
I don't think that's right. 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.
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 is) definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore. It ruined it for me a little bit.
Real talk from Genie Bouchard. pic.twitter.com/gpwmB26RgS
— Jonathan Liew (@jonathanliew) April 27, 2017
