Paris, France | AFP.
Maria Sharapova responded on Wednesday to Serena Williams' statements claiming that the Russian's autobiography had been written "100% by hearsay," and insisted that the controversial allegations about her fierce rival are true.
"When you write an autobiography, I don't think there's any reason to write something that isn't true," Sharapova said after losing in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros to Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza 6-2, 6-1.
Sharapova and the youngest of the Williams sisters were supposed to face each other in the round of 16 in Paris, but an injury to the American's pectoral muscle allowed Sharapova to advance to the quarterfinals without even stepping on the court.
In Sharapova's autobiography, titled 'Unstoppable', the Russian claims that the enmity between the two began when she defeated Serena in the Wimbledon final in 2004.
"I think Serena hated me for being the skinny girl who defeated her against all odds at Wimbledon," Sharapova wrote.
The Russian recounts that Serena allegedly told a friend, "I will never lose to that little bitch again."
"I think it would be strange for me not to include someone I competed against for so many years," defended the 31-year-old Russian.