World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie referenced Maria Sharapova's earnings and the two-year anti-doping suspension the Russian received while discussing the organization's activities, according to The Telegraph.
"I suspect that we probably punch pretty well above our weight when it comes to the amount of work that is achieved and the successes that are achieved on a budget of less than $30 million a year,” Reedie said, according to the newspaper. "...For me, the only satisfactory element in Madame Sharapova’s case was that in one year she can earn more money than the whole of WADA’s budget put together."
Over the past 12 months, Forbes estimates that the five-time Grand Slam champion has earned $21.9 million, including $20 million in endorsements.
Sharapova tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open, with the testing being administered by the International Tennis Federation anti-doping program. Her suspension was handed down by an independent ITF tribunal. Sharapova is appealing the suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Both the ITF and WADA did not exercise their independent right of appeal. Meldonium was banned by WADA at the beginning of this year. Sharapova said she had been taking the drug for many years and did not know of the rule change.
More than 300 athletes, many of which are from Russia, have since tested positive for the substance. The agency recently issued additional guidelines, saying it takes longer for the substance to leave one’s system than originally accounted for, and small amounts may indicate use before the beginning of this year. These guidelines did not apply to Sharapova.
"The statement made today by the WADA president is unprofessional,” John Haggerty, Sharapova’s attorney, said in a statement. “Justice, whether in the eyes of WADA or a court, must be blind, including being blind to a player's earnings.
"Mr. Reedie owes an apology to Maria, and to all successful tennis players, unless he wants fans to think WADA has different standards for players depending on their ranking and earnings."