Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has announced she has tested positive for a banned substance. Maria Sharapova announces failed drug test at
ADVERTISEMENTRussian tennis player Maria Sharapova has announced she has tested positive for a banned substance.
Maria Sharapova announces failed drug test at Australian Open. Watch live press conference: https://t.co/ld28qJ3uxmpic.twitter.com/HXYvEnVo35
— KATV News (@KATVNews) March 7, 2016
She addressed the world’s media at a hotel in Los Angeles:“I wanted to let you know that a few days ago, I received a letter from the ITF that I had failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it. For the past 10 years I have been given a medicine called Mildronate. It is very important for you to understand that for 10 years this medicine was not on WADA’s banned list and I had been legally taking the medicine for past 10 years.”
The World Anti-Doping Agency banned the substance in January when Sharapova made her last appearance at the Australian Open.
Watch the Maria Sharapova press conference live on Tennis Identity:https://t.co/y8bHvGB6Plpic.twitter.com/58rTeaFwe0
— Tennis Identity ® (@TennisIdentity) March 7, 2016
Sharapova turned professional in 2001 and won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2004 beating Serena Williams. Her last Grand Slam victory was at the French Open in 2014.
She is currently the world’s highest paid sportswoman.
Maria Sharapova sparks retirement rumours after calling Monday press conference https://t.co/u6SV0rSSxqpic.twitter.com/pzHH9YlnWq
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) March 6, 2016