Serena's coach hits Sharapova with brutal put-down
Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou has delivered some brutal truths to Maria Sharapova over her latest slanging match.
Sharapova on Saturday bit back at Caroline Wozniacki, who previously criticised US Open oragnisers for continually scheduling the former drug cheat on centre court.
"I don't make the schedule," Sharapova told reporters after winning through to the fourth round.
"I'm a pretty big competitor. If you put me out in the parking lot of Queens in New York City, I'm happy to play there.
"That's not what matters to me. All that matters to me is I'm in the fourth round, I'm not sure where she is."
But on Sunday Mouratoglou attempted to put Sharapova in her place.
Serena's coach questioned whether Sharapova had the stamina to make it any further at Flushing Meadows, and also questioned whether she deserved to be there in the first place.
“They should vote in a rule someone who comes back from a ban from doping shouldn’t get a wildcard coming back," Mouratoglou said.
“I don’t think it sends a good message. It’s like I take something away from you because you did something wrong but then I give you a hand.
"Don’t help player that has lost their ranking because of testing positive. Don’t help them come back to the top faster.
"I know it’s exciting for any tournament director to have Sharapova in the draw. The stadium will be full, sponsors happy, TV ratings. But let her play her way into the top 100 and deserve her place in the draw. It’s nothing against her. I would say if it’s anyone.”
He also delivered a massive whack by suggesting Serena's pregnancy was the luckiest thing to happen to Sharapova in years.
"When Maria enters a tournament, the best news possible for her is if Serena is not in the draw,’" Mouratoglou told The New York Post.
“She’s a better tennis player. She’s the best of all time. She hasn’t been dominating just Sharapova.”
Serena owns a 19-2 record against Sharapova, but has taken a break from the tour to give birth to her first child.