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People and Pop Culture

John McEnroe Defends Maria Sharapova, Says He Would Have Taken The Drug

JOHN MCENROE is "not renowned for his compassion towards other competitors" but the outspoken former player has defended MARIA SHARAPOVA after she admitted to taking a banned drug and said that "he would also have used it," according to Barry Flatman of the LONDON TIMES. The Russian is facing a "lengthy suspension after admitting to taking meldonium last week." She has claimed that she took the drug "to combat heart problems and because of a family history of diabetes," but McEnroe said that it is "acceptable to use a prescription drug as a performance-enhancer, even if it was developed for other medical benefit." McEnroe said, "If a drug is legal? That is like a no-brainer. I mean, are you kidding? People have been looking since the beginning of time for an edge, and you're constantly looking for these things in any way, shape or form." Two-time Australian Open champion and former No. 1 VICTORIA AZARENKA said that Sharapova's failed test "was a threat to the integrity of the sport." Azarenka, who is known to "have no great affinity with Sharapova," said, "There is going to be the dark cloud on the women's game and I hope that it gets resolved" (LONDON TIMES, 3/14).

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