Sharapova not bothered by Bouchard's criticism: 'I am way above that'

Maria Sharapova brushed off further questioning about her anti-doping suspension and comeback following her second-round win in Stuttgart.

The Russian was asked about Eugenie Bouchard, who provided the most strident criticism of Sharapova's return among WTA players.

"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,” Bouchard told TRT World. “It's so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way.”

The Canadian added that the WTA was sending the "wrong message to kids" by welcoming Sharapova back with "open arms."

Sharapova declined to react to Bouchard's comments.

"I don't have anything to say,” the five-time Grand Slam champion said. “I am way above that.”

The Russian tested positive for meldonium, a heart and blood-boosting drug, at the Australian Open in 2016. She said she had taken it for many years and did not know it had been banned at the beginning of 2016.

She also did not respond to questions about what she or officials had learned from her experience.

"I am past 'the lessons,'" said Sharapova. “I have done numerous interviews about the case, and this is a new chapter in my career.”

Following her opening-round win the day before, Sharapova was also asked if she had found an alternative to address the physiological concerns that she said had led to her being prescribed meldonium, which does not require a prescription in Russia and is not sold in most countries beyond Eastern Europe.

"That information is between myself, the WTA and the orthopedic doctor I am working with now," she said.

Sharapova would not discuss specifics about her doctor and whether she is also using others.

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