The reason I don't think there is a backlash is because the drug was legal up until January. Maria got caught in a tournament that was held the last two weeks in January. She didn't realize the drug she was taking was banned starting in January. If Serena got busted under the same circumstances, I don't think there would be a backlash against her either.

OP - Your post is an example of why race relations are so bad in our country.

When you play the “race card” for every damn situation, then when real racism occurs, it is ignored.

Just like Bill Cosby gets indicted and Bill Clinton doesn't . More evidence against Clinton who is a proven liar regarding sexual predatory behavior during a trial that involving a separate sexual harrassment incident. Also labeling a 22 year old intern as a "stalker" and throwing her under the bus until a sperm stain shows up proves you are an abuser.

Sharapova handled this correctly.
She got out in front of the story, admitted to taking the substance (although it was only added to the list in January), and took full responsibility.
Quite a change from what we have seen from other athletes.

OP - this is not being kept quiet. Most people agree that she should have a suspension.
If this were Williams, it may be more of a story simply because Serena Williams has won more grand slams and is currently ranked #1.

Quit making it about race.
And, by the way, Lance Armstrong is not black. Backlash in his situation was pretty damn strong.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think its being kept quiet and I don't think it is much of a surprise.
I wouldn't bat an eye if Serena was caught juicing either - in fact isn't it obvious that she is?

This. Serena is being emphatic because she realizes it could have easily been her.

It would be more covered up .

Anonymous wrote:She had been taking the stuff for years for medical reasons

Too bad the manufacturers recommended treatment course is 4-6 weeks.

I agree with you, OP, that if this were Serena there would be a huge, nasty backlash.

Go, Serena!

Have you actually read any of the news articles on the story? She wasn't "caught juicing". She had been taking the stuff for years for medical reasons, and it was only banned in January. She didn't know it wasn't allowed. Stop trying to make everything about race.

I don't know really, because as racist as society is, people in this country don't actually care that much about tennis.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think its being kept quiet and I don't think it is much of a surprise.

I wouldn't bat an eye if Serena was caught juicing either - in fact isn't it obvious that she is?

No, it isn't.

Anonymous wrote:She is the number one earner not from tennis earnings but from endorsements and modeling.

Agreed but nevertheless, its the complete package - on court + off court earnings make her #1.

I don't think its being kept quiet and I don't think it is much of a surprise.

I wouldn't bat an eye if Serena was caught juicing either - in fact isn't it obvious that she is?

She is the number one earner not from tennis earnings but from endorsements and modeling.

does anyone think the backlash would be as muted? I'm surprised just how quiet the Sharapova juicing story is. This is the #1 earning professional female athlete of all time.

"If you are white, thin, sexy, and blonde
You can do no wrong. "

Should be made into a little song diddy.