Vegemite takes a shot at Maria Sharapova with cheeky billboard

Vegemite has taken a shot at Maria Sharapova, sledging the grunting star in the lead up to and after her demise at the Australian Open.

The Australian company is a supporter of the Australian Open and local Ash Barty, who was bundled out in the quarter-finals, and has been active in its campaigning throughout the tournament.

But a decision to throw a jab at Maria Sharapova has raised some eyebrows within the tennis community.

It comes as no surprise as tennis commentators and fans expressed outrage over Sharapova's tactics.

The Russian star, who recently came off a doping ban, seemed to have had a good rapport with the Australian fans before her match up with Barty, yet they turned on her, frowning on her tactics to try and unsettle the local hope.