The five-time Grand Slam title victor, and the highest-earning sportswoman in the world, admitted on Monday that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
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Embattled Russian tennis star, Maria Sharapova; has chastized a section of the media for what she says are blatant distortions, exaggerations and misreporting of news about her doping case.
“Her position is, as I understand it, she did take this as a prescribed drug product for many years, and unfortunately didn’t realize that it had gone on the banned list”.
The fallout from Maria Sharapova’s failed drug test has ensnared her native Russia as it becomes clear that the banned substance found in her system is creating wider problems for Russian sport.
Eliasch said Sharapova was taking meldonium in such low doses that the drug couldn’t possibly have had a stimulating effect on her performance, and that “we further conclude this falls into the category of “honest” mistakes”.
The Times of London reported that all tennis players were warned five times in total previous year that the substance was due to be banned. The International Tennis Federation’s anti-doping program regulations recommend a four-year ban if the violation was intentional and a two-year ban if it was accidental. “In this moment, I am so proud to call you my fans”.
However, Dutch racket manufacturers Head vowed to back Sharapova and released a statement questioning why the substance was added to the WADA banned list.
Sharapova said on December 18 she received an email titled “Player News” and mixed in with the rankings, tournament news, bulletins, and birthday wishes was the notification of changes to the anti-doping rules.
Sharapova said earlier this week she used meldonium for the past decade to treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency. I wanted to let you know that your wonderful words put a smile on my face.
“Within hours of my announcement, you showed me support and loyalty, which I could only expect to hear when someone would be at the top of their profession. I feel for her with all that’s happening and I just hope she gets out of this stronger”, the world number one said.
“It’s the first time I’ve been in a hybrid”, Sharapova said at the time.
Speaking at a press conference in Indian Wells ahead of his participation in the BNP Paribas Open, Murray continued: “It’s not up to me to decide the punishment, but if you’re taking performance-enhancing drugs and you fail a drugs test, you have to get suspended”.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova said she was “shocked” and world number three Agnieszka Radwanska described it as a “sad day for tennis ” “.
Finally, she detailed how often she took the drug.
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The Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer, part of the LVMH group, said it was suspending negotiations with the tennis player about renewing a sponsorship deal that ended in December.
