Wednesday 9 March 2016 08:44, UK
Maria Sharapova’s former coach Nick Bollettieri says the five-time Grand Slam winner will be 'devastated' by her forthcoming suspension from tennis.
Sharapova, whose suspension begins on Saturday, is yet to discover how long she will be unable to play for after announcing on Monday she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year's Australian Open.
Bollettieri, who has worked with the likes of Andre Agassi, Boris Becker and Monica Seles, coached Sharapova when she left her homeland with her parents and arrived at his Florida tennis academy as a nine-year-old.
"This will be devastating to Maria," Bollettieri told Sky Sports News HQ.
"She really has been an outstanding character on and off the court for all of these years.
"Maria has always been dedicated throughout her career. She used to come to the court with her daddy, worked hard, never complained and when she became successful she always signed autographs, always had time for the kids and set up her foundation.
"Knowing Maria from a very young girl, and watching her entire career, it is a shock for me to see what is happening.
"It's hard for me to say anything negative about my Maria Sharapova."
A number of sponsors have suspended ties with Sharapova as the prospect of a long ban looms but Bollettieri is backing his protege to come through this period of adversity.
"It's very difficult for me to say what is right and what is wrong," the 84-year-old added.
"All I'm hoping is that they will look at Maria as a person, what she's done on the court, and also her outside activities. To my knowledge there have been very few black marks against her throughout her career.
"I believe Maria Sharapova will find a way to survive what is happening today."
