"I don't make the schedule. I'm a pretty big competitor. If you put me out in the parking lot of Queens in New York City, I'm happy to play there"
Saturday 2 September 2017 15:08, UK
Maria Sharapova has hit back at Caroline Wozniacki's criticism of the US Open scheduling at Flushing Meadows.
Wozniacki was beaten in the second round by Ekaterina Makarova on an outside court, while Sharapova played her third contest in a row on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night.
The Russian's latest victory came when she defeated American teenager Sofia Kenin 7-5 6-2 to reach the fourth round.
Wozniacki, who has been one of Sharapova's most outspoken critics since her return from a 15-month doping ban, didn't hold back when she was knocked out earlier in the week.
"When you look on centre court, I understand completely the business side of things" she said, "but someone who comes back from a drugs sentence - performance enhancing drugs - and all of a sudden gets to play every single match on centre court, I think that's questionable thing to do.
"I think it doesn't set a good example and I think someone who has fought their way back from injury and is five in the world deserves to play on a bigger court than Court 5."
Responding to the comments, Sharapova said: "I don't make the schedule. I'm a pretty big competitor. If you put me out in the parking lot of Queens in New York City, I'm happy to play there.
"That's not what matters to me. All that matters to me is I'm in the fourth round. I'm not sure where she is."
The five-time Grand Slam champion next plays 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova and she is looking to improve on her performance against Kenin.
"There were just too many errors in the beginning of that match," she said. "Coming into this match playing two three-setters, I'm just happy I got it done in two. Give my body a little bit of a break, I guess."
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