Federer: "Zero tolerance, Sharapova should be punished"
The Swiss star said during a press conference at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart that even if an athlete unwittingly dopes, it makes no difference.
“I don’t have all the details of Maria Sharapova’s case. Maria has the total right, like anybody, to defend herself but my stance is zero tolerance,” Roger Federer said during a press conference at the ongoing Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.
“Whether or not [Sharapova’s case] was intentional or not, it’s something where I don’t see a lot of difference. You have to be 100 percent about what you are taking and know what the effects and consequences are. Even if it is unintentional, you should still be punished.”
Federer went further, suggesting the anti-doping authorities should “keep blood samples for 10, 15, 20 years to put off potential cheats.”