Former World Number One Sharapova Fails Drugs Test
Former world number one Maria Sharapova has admitted she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. Sharapova, 28, tested positive for meldonium, a substance she has been taking since 2006 for health issues.
Former world number one Maria Sharapova has admitted she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. Sharapova, 28, tested positive for meldonium, a substance she has been taking since 2006 for health issues.
The five-time Grand Slam champion is provisionally suspended from 12 March pending further action.
The sportswear company, Nike, announced that it was halting its relationship with the player until the investigation is complete.
"I did fail the test and take full responsibility for it," said Sharapova, who won the Wimbledon title as a 17-year-old in 2004.
"For the past 10 years I have been given a medicine called mildronate by my family doctor and a few days ago after I received a letter from the ITF [International Tennis Federation] I found out it also has another name of meldonium, which I did not know."
It was her 18th consecutive loss to her nemesis. But after Monday's announcement, and the ensuing fallout from it, Sharapova now faces an even tougher challenge to her career now than she ever did against Serena.
