Sharapova blasts Serena Williams over rape row

Russian tennis player, Maria Sharapova leaves the stand after watching Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria plays Dudi Sela of Israel during their Queen’s Club grass court championships first round tennis match in London, Monday, June 10, 2013. AP/Sang Tan

LONDON – Maria Sharapova blasted Serena Williams on Saturday for the American’s controversial comments over a high-profile rape case and even criticized the Wimbledon champion’s private life.

In an astonishing attack on the world number one, which comes just two days before Wimbledon gets underway, Sharapova told Williams to keep her opinions to herself.

Williams, the 16-time Grand Slam title-winner, was forced to apologize for her comments regarding the rape of a 16-year-old girl by two high school American football players in the Ohio town of Steubenville.

“I was definitely sad to hear what she had to say about the whole case,” said Sharapova, who was defeated by Williams in the French Open final earlier this month.

“I know everyone tries to create rivalries between us here and there. I just think she should be talking about her accomplishments, her achievements, rather than everything else that’s just getting attention and controversy.”

Sharapova, who has not beaten her great rival since 2004, also appeared to criticise Williams’s love life.

The American has been linked romantically with her French coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

“If she wants to talk about something personal, maybe she should talk about her relationship and her boyfriend that was married and is getting a divorce and has kids,” said Sharapova.

“Talk about other things, but not draw attention to other things. She has so much in her life, many positives, and I think that’s what it should be about.”

Williams got involved in the Ohio rape case story by giving an interview to Rolling Stone magazine.

“I’m not blaming the girl, but if you’re a 16-year-old and you’re drunk like that, your parents should teach you — don’t take drinks from other people,” the magazine quoted Williams as saying.

“She’s 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn’t remember? It could have been much worse. She’s lucky. Obviously I don’t know, maybe she wasn’t a virgin, but she shouldn’t have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that’s different.”

On Wednesday, Williams apologized.

“What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened,” Williams said.

“For someone to be raped, and at only 16, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved – that of the rape victim and of the accused.

“I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article. What was written — what I supposedly said — is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.”

Sharapova said she always make a point of trying to keep her private life under wraps.

“What I do on the court and what I talk about in my press conference is strictly about my career. I’m sure people want to know more, but yet I try to keep my personal life private,” said the Russian.

“Nobody really cares about what I have to say, my opinions. If I speak to my friends, that’s one thing. But I don’t go out and try to create things that shouldn’t be really talked about.”