Eugenie Bouchard's "doper" dig earns criticism from Simona Halep's coach

Eugenie Bouchard’s latest comments about doping did not sit well with Simona Halep’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Halep is currently undergoing a doping investigation herself.

Bouchard embroiled herself in controversy at the Madrid Open by taking a sly dig at players who have tested positive for doping. She was more specifically talking about Maria Sharapova and Dayana Yastremska.

The former World No. 5 contested the first-round match at the 2023 Madrid Open six years after her previous main draw appearance. At the event in 2017, Bouchard got the better of Maria Sharapova, who was returning on tour 15 months after being found guilty of doping.

Earlier that month, the Canadian had called Sharapova “a cheater” who “shouldn’t be allowed to play the sport again.” Thus, her victory over the former World No. 1 bore great significance.

After successfully qualifying for the main draw at the ongoing 2023 Madrid Open, Eugenie Bouchard earned an opening-round victory over Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska. Yastremska was charged with a doping offense as well, but the authorities eventually granted acquittal after deeming her not guilty.

Nonetheless, after her 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2 win, Bouchard proceeded to take a jibe at both Sharapova and Yastremska in a now-deleted tweet.

"There's something about playing dopers in Madrid," she wrote.

Simona Halep’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou was quick to criticize the 2014 Wimbledon runner-up’s tweet, stating that it was “unfair” to attack those who have been cleared of all charges.

“I am glad Genie deleted her tweet. It is not a fair thing to attack people who have been totally cleared by the Tribunal,” he wrote on Twitter.

It is worth noting that Eugenie Bouchard’s mocking remark came the same day as Simona Halep’s revelation about the postponement of her doping trial. Halep continues to maintain that she is not guilty, and Mouratoglou rallied behind her as she made the statement.

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Eugenie Bouchard loses in 2R at the 2023 Madrid Open

Bouchard at the 2023 Madrid Open

Eugenie Bouchard’s excitement about scoring a main draw win at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid was short-lived. After her victory over Dayana Yastremska, the Canadian faced 2022 French Open semifinalist Martina Trevisan in the Round of 64.

Trevisan had a commanding start, winning the opening set 6-2. The second set wasn’t as straightforward though.

The Italian secured an early break in the second, before Eugenie Bouchard fought back to level things 5-5. However, Martina Trevisan held her nerve to break back soon after, and she eventually sealed a 6-2, 7-5 victory.