Another one of Maria Sharapova’s sponsors have come out and made an announcement. Nike, Evian, Porsche, and Tag Heuer have all made it known how they feel with the Russian. Now, Sharapova’s racket sponsor, HEAD, has also come out and made a statement. Head plans to extend their contract with the world number seven, shocking everyone.

What The Other Sponsors Have Said

Nike, her clothing sponsor, has come out and said that they are suspending their relationship with the Russian, shocking many. Nike has stood by the likes of Hope Solo, Michael Vick, Justin Gatlin in times of controversy, so it shocked many that they quickly suspended their relationship.

Tag Heuer was the first official sponsor to drop the five-time Grand Slam champion while Porsche has suspended their promotional affairs with Sharapova. Meanwhile, Evian has yet to make an announcement on dropping the Russian as they await to hear more details on a possible suspension.

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova speaks at a press conference in downtown Los Angeles, California, March 7, 2016. The former world number one announced she failed a doping test at the Australian Open, saying a change in the World-Anti-Doping Agency banned list led to the violation. Sharapova said she tested positive for Meldonium, a substance she had been taking since 2006 but one that was added to the banned list this year. / AFP / ROBYN BECK/Getty Images

HEAD’s Official Statement

HEAD chairman Johan Eliasch had a long statement (seen below), which included a list of facts about Sharapova and meldonium. He then continued his statement saying that it was a mistake by the Russian and that they believe she did not use it with any intent for it to be performance-enhancing.

Eliasch then continued by saying that over a decade, Sharapova has been a role model and a person of integrity. “HEAD is proud to stand by Maria, now and into the future we intend to extend her contract. We look forward to working with her and to announcing new sponsorships in the weeks and months ahead,” they said in the conclusion of their statement (full statement below).

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About the author
Noel John Alberto
Filipino-American sports journalist from Toms River, NJ. UMBC Graduate and aspiring physical therapist. Tennis editor and multi-sport coordinator for VAVEL USA. Writer for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Serie A sections of VAVEL UK. Sports aficionado. Host of the On The Line tennis podcast.