Former World No. 1 Boris Becker tells returning Russian tennis ace Maria Sharapova to be more approachable in the locker room
Maria Sharapova
ADVERTISEMENT
Former tennis great Boris Becker has stressed that Russian tennis beauty Maria Sharapova should try to be more charming and friendly when she returns from her doping ban next week.
Sharapova has been given a wildcard for the Stuttgart Open, but Becker believes the five-time Grand Slam winner needs to learn from her mistakes and be more approachable in locker rooms.
"I always believe in second chances, but obviously you need to learn from your mistakes," Becker told the Daily Telegraph.
"There's no secret that she was one of the most unpopular players in the locker room, so a lot of players have their opinions about her. How does she treat the comeback? Will she behave the way she behaved before? That would not be so good. Will she be a bit more charming and a bit more friendly to everybody? I certainly hope so."
Boris Becker
However, Becker was quick to add that he finds nothing wrong with Sharapova getting a wildcard at Stuttgart Open.
"I don't criticise the tournaments for giving her a wildcard. Sharapova is one of the biggest names in women's sport, and therefore she is one of the main attraction for any tournament."