Svetlana Kuznetsova - Controversies

Controversies

Belgian sports minister Claude Eerdekens claimed in January 2005 that Kuznetsova used the stimulant ephedrine during a charity tournament in Charleroi. The drug, however, is not prohibited by WTA on condition that it is used outside the official games. Several people, among them Russian tennis president Shamil Tarpishchev and WTA chief executive Larry Scott, have criticized Eerdekens claim, the first stated " has broken every ethical rule in the book by naming a player without any proof of wrongdoing, without any basic evidence". Kuznetsova stated that while she took some drugs, she was aware of the rules and was angry at the allegation.

Although Kuznetsova is generally known to be friendly, gregarious and keeping a cool head on court, she was once criticized for refusing shaking hands with Anastasia Rodionova after a match's ending at Wimbledon 2010 . Rodionova was later asked why she thought Kuznetsova did that: "I don't know, I guess she was just disappointed. It doesn't really bother me". A Russian journalist later said "I think she's just disgusted with herself, ashamed of the way she played," while Kuzetsova declined to participate in an interview. Kuznetsova later stated on Twitter: "It was crazy yesterday, and yes once again I DO NOT REGRET about not shaking the hand." Rodionova was also criticized for her nervous, messy personality, and was called a "witch" by a Guardian journalist. In tennis, it is proper etiquette to shake hands with the opponent; not shaking hands is regarded as rude and undisciplined.