Eugenie Bouchard has criticised the return of Russian superstar Maria Sharapova to tennis - labeling the 30-year-old a ‘cheater’.

Speaking to TRT world, the 23-year-old Canadian said: "I don't think it’s right. She's a cheater and I don't think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again.

"It's so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true.

"I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids 'cheat and we'll welcome you back with open arms'.

"I don't think that's right and she's definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore because it's definitely ruined it for me a little bit."

Sharapova made her return to the court against Italian Roberta Vinci after 15-months out after the Russian tested positive for the drug Meldonium. The 30-year-old managed an easy 7-5 6-3 win at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

The five-time Grand Slam winner’s return in Stuttgart is the Russian’s first match since the 2016 Australian Open and comes amid allegations of media manipulation from Sharapova’s camp and the 30-year-old's sponsors.

What is Meldonium?

Meldonium or Mildronate as it is also known is used to treat Ischaemia; a condition that affects the blood flow to certain parts of the body.

It has not been approved for use in either Western Europe or the United States but is in use in the Baltic States and Russia.

The drug increases blood flow thereby interesting an athlete’s capacity for exercise and was banned in September 2015 coming into effect from January 2016. Interestingly, a 2015 study discovered that 17% of Russian athletes (724 of 4,316) were found to have Meldonium in their system.

Sharapova claimed that she had Meldonium for 10 years due to underlying health concerns, namely a magnesium deficiency and her family’s history of diabetes.

Eugenie Bouchard’s comments reflect the wider issue surrounding Sharapova and other drug cheats returning to the sport.