It must be tough being Maria Sharapova right now, your net worth of around $125 million eroding around you as tennis players past and present unite to call you names.

I was being rather sarcastic in case you missed it, that nest egg still sitting pretty despite the fact that sponsors like Nike are running for the hills. But now there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the beleaguered tennis star, one company deciding to stand behind her in the time of need.

No it’s not the guys who make meldonium, the substance that has caused all the trouble, with the Daily Mail having this to say:

…skincare company Supergoop is standing by her.

Sharapova signed a deal to be the face of the brand, which focuses on sun safety, in 2014 as well as becoming co-owner with founder Holly Thaggard.

Thaggard said in a statement: “While we are surprised and disheartened by Maria Sharapova’s recent announcement, we value our relationship with her as a co-owner of Supergoop! and ambassador for our common cause of conquering the epidemic of skin cancer.

“We appreciate Maria’s candour and will continue to support her as the ITF investigation unfolds.”

So the company she co-owns won’t be severing ties with her – now there’s a shocker.

I guess we may never know the truth about exactly why she continued to use the substance after it became banned, but the plethora of other Russian athletes getting done for doping won’t exactly sway public sentiment in her favour.

[source:dailymail]