Maria Sharapova was warned five times

Photo: Maria Sharapova failed a drug test at the Australian Open (Getty Images)

Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open that was held in January. The former Wimbledon champion dropped the bombshell on the tennis world on Monday in a personal statement at a Los Angeles hotel. The 28-year-old who is reported to be the highest earning athlete in any female sport, tested positive for Mildronate or Meldonium which only became a banned substance on January 1 of this year. The Russian beauty faces a lengthy suspension from the sport with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) confirming that the 2006 US Open champion will be provisionally suspended as of March 12.

At the pre-arranged press conference in Los Angeles, Sharapova made the revelation about her doping violation. She stated, ‘I received a letter from the ITF that I failed a drug test at the Australian Open. I take full responsibility for it.’ The 5-time Grand Slam champion has been struggling with injuries for quite some time now and there was speculation that she would retire from tennis. However after revealing the failed drug test, the Russian claimed it was a drug prescribed by the family doctor and she had been using it for the past 10 years.

She continued, ‘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 the ITF letter I found out that it also have another name of Meldonium which I did not know.’ The 2014 French Open champion added, ‘It is very important for you to understand that for 10 years this medicine was not on WADA’s banned list and I had legally been taking the medicine for the past 10 years. But on January 1st the rules had changed and Meldonium became a prohibited substance which I had not known.’

Sharapova admitted that she did receive an email from WADA in late December informing her of the changes to the prohibited list but failed to follow the link that would have shown the details of the prohibited items. The 6ft 2in Russian also insisted that she has been using Meldonium since 2006 for several health issues. Sharapova’s lawyer John Haggerty revealed that she was falling ill very often and as such was introduced to the substance. Haggerty claimed that his client had ‘abnormal electrocardiogram readings’ and ‘some diabetes indicators’ which prompted the doctor to recommend Meldonium.

Haggerty claimed, ‘She took it on a regular basis as recommended by her doctor. He told her what to take and when to take it, then continued to test her and confirmed that it was giving her the desired improved medical condition.’

The Russian superstar tried her best to remind everyone of her honesty and great professionalism throughout her career but admitted that he made a mistake. She also claims to have let the sport down and of course has let down her fans. Sharapova also insisted that she doesn’t want to end her career like this and hopes to get the chance to play again as she faces a ban that could be as much as four years. She also dismissed suggestions that she will retire from the sport but is now ready to face the consequences of her actions.

As a huge earner from endorsement deals, the Miami resident may have been facing the consequences already. Sportswear giants Nike has suspended their 8-year-deal with the Russian that was signed in 2010 reported to be worth £8.5M per year. Porsche, another of her major sponsors, claims they’ve not dumped the 2004 Wimbledon champion but will not pursue any further activities with her. The deal with Porsche is reported to be worth $2.8M per year. Luxury Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer also stated that their deal with Sharapova ended in December and has now pulled out of negotiations over a new deal. The Miami resident also has deals with American Express, Avon, Evian, Head and Tiffany & co.

As a first time offender, Sharapova could receive a ban for 2-4 years but new information has circulated that the Russian beauty was warned at least five times of the drug ban in January. Correspondents from the ITF claimed that they warned athletes that Meldonium will be banned as of January 1. The Russian Federation also insisted that they warned their athletes not to take any chance with the Meldonium, because evidence has shown that it increases blood flow and hence improves exercise capacity in athletes. There are also claims that Meldonium helps with the recovery of athletes from vigorous activities.