Sharapova’s Doping or Anderson’s Match Fixing- Which is the Greater Evil?
There’s no doubt that professional sports are built on the idea of integrity, on the idea of fairness and sportsmanship, and that’s why things like doping and match fixing are illegal.
Recently tennis seems to be having a surge of unsportsmanlike incidents, most notably Sharapova’s doping incident and Anderson’s match fixing incident. At times like these, it is extremely hard to decide who should be punished more than the other, and exactly how they should be punished.
Maria Sharapova pleaded guilty for the use of meldonium , a substance that had been banned since January 1st, 2016. She tested positive at the 2016 Australian Open. With an initial suspension of 2 years, which was cut down to 15 months, Sharapova seems to be slowly making her way through tournaments with the help of wildcards, much to the chagrin of her peers. In fact, many players like Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard (who called Sharapova a ‘cheat’) have openly talked about how they disapprove of Maria’s easy return to the game. It seems like Maria will be having a tough time in the locker rooms.
Oliver Anderson, former junior tennis Australian Open champion, pleaded guilty to match fixing, when he lost the first set intentionally to Harrison Lombe 4-6, only to win the next two sets 6-0, 6-2 during a tournament in Australia. Apparently there was a $2,000 bet at the odds of 6-1 for Anderson losing the first set. The gambler won $12000. Anderson’s lawyer says that Oliver was was aware of the risks, and felt that he wouldn’t be caught. In court he stated that he needed the money to repay a debt. Anderson would end up walking out of court with a $500 fine, a 2 year good behavior bond, and has been banned from participating in or attending any professional events by the Tennis Integrity Unit.
Both of these stories don’t look good, and honestly, both of them are a huge to blow to tennis as a sport. The question is, could one be worse than the other?
Sharapova had been using meldonium for over 10 years in her career, and since it is a drug that increases blood flow, allowing for more oxygen to be taken to the muscles, it enhances performance. Maria claimed that she took these drugs because of health. However, the bigger question is if Maria really needed the drug to play tennis, then what is she taking now?
In Sharapova’s case, she has affected the lives of every single player she has ever played, destroying the chances of rising athletes. In fact, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that her doping has affected the careers of many players, since none of them have ever been able to play a fair match against Maria. Even then, Sharapova returns to the tour in 15 months, and even receives wild card entries.
Anderson did not coerce anyone during his match fixing stint. He quietly lost the first set of his match, but still ended up winning. He would only effect the life of one player, who he was most likely going to beat anyway. However, Anderson could end up facing a lifetime ban from the circuit.
There are many ethical questions concerning Anderson’s actions. How can spectators know that they are watching real matches, real competitors giving their all, when there is a chance that the match could be fixed? If spectators lose interest, tennis loses money, and if tennis loses money, the sport itself becomes less popular. The same is true for incidents of doping.
At the end of the day, it may be hard to decide whether doping is worse than match fixing, or vice versa. It seems to be a choice between destroying the career of others or destroying your own.
I am really beginning to enjoy your articles. You seem to have nailed it here. Sharapova cheated and got away with a reduced sentence and a red-carpet welcome! She is something .. ain’t she?
I disagree with your assessment of Sharapova’s violation for use of a banned substance, as it was not banned for 10 ten years rather for 3 weeks prior to her test date. First, she did not plead guilty, as the ITF hearing was not a criminal court. It appears you have not read the CAS Opinion wherein her suspension was reduced from 2 years to 15 months, and it was specifically found she “is not an intentional doper”. Her use of Meldonium for 10 years prior to January 1, 2016 had no effect on other players, as the substance was a legal substance, but you knew that. I have no problem with folks being Pova haters, that clearly has been going on for years, but get your facts straight about the suspension if you are going to be writing articles about her.
Now as to which is the worst of the two evils, a) a finding of “not an intentional doper” or b) an intentional fix of a professional tennis match for $1,200. Given your penchant for misstating the facts I question whether Oliver Anderson actually plead guilty or did he just admit the complaint filed with the Tennis Integrity Unit and accepted the 2 year ban.
The French Tennis Federation in granting a Wild Card to Anderson, and denying one for Sharapova illustrates the inconsistent decisions of the FFT and serves to demonstrate the FFT adopted the ITF’s anti-Pova attitude exhibited by the ITF in its initial ruling, and noted by the CAS Opinion.
Clearly are working hard at developing your tennis blog. I only hope you are more accurately informed about tennis than you are about the Sharapova situation.
Dude you truly are a fan of DopaPova …. You can go around splitting hair about what was legal or not. The fact is that the RDA (Russian Doping Authority) approved Meldonium as the performance enhancing drug of choice for soldiers and sports persons and Sharapova consumed that same bloody thingie and did not disclose it to . SHE IS A PERSON WITH QUESTIONABLE ETHICS, CHEAT AND INTENTIONAL DOPER BECAUSE SHE DID IT TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE. By the way what is she taking now for her so delicate heart?
The better question is what medications are you not taking that would help you with your instability.
Way to go. Can’t poke holes in the message, so shoot the messenger. That’s okay, you are a fan = fanatic. Good luck to you 🙂 …..
You know what? Who cares…
I came to the realization that “pro sports” as we know it, is dirty as dirty ever was. I came to this realization after the Olympic scandals of past eras and the EPO scandals of road racing.
It’s all dirty. Just look at little further beyond the glamor of television to see what kind of questionable characters operate on the professional circuits. Executives, agents, financiers, etc.
I played semi pro level sports back in the last century and let me tell you…anyone who is trying to make it big is a doper….PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
The only ones who don’t know it are the adoring public who worship and idolize mere humans who happen to be good at a particular sport. The hero worship of athletes is in and of itself disturbing.
Am I saying that ALL athletes are dopers? Of course not…but “professional sports” as we know it is rife with corruption and cheating.
You can try to “root” it out but it’s like trying to root out corrupt politicians…you’ll end up playing whack a mole for decades. The sports industry itself is nauseatingly corrupt. It’s what happens when huge amounts of money are at stake.
I always wonder how many of the top tier athletes are allowed to get away simply because of the financial draw they represent to the “professional sports” world and all of the hanger ons who make a living in this make believe world.
Yes. I agree 100% with your point here, however, I hope you will agree that just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t make it right, like a 100 wrongs don’t make a right.
That’s not what I’m saying and I think you’re intelligent enough to know that.
Going after athletes is a waste of time when the whole “pro sports” industry is corrupt to its very core.
If you want to get rid of the cheaters then society as a whole needs to stop the athlete worship and dismantle the very foundation of the “pro sports” industry. Get rid of the shady financiers and all the hanger ons who make a living off the whole decrepit industry.
This will never happen and you know it…so cheating will continue and the powers that be will pay lip service to wiping it out as they know that without the cheaters they lose the whole house of cards.
good math