Sharapova Suspended After Failing Drugs Test
The tennis superstar admits to making a "huge mistake" - and says she hopes to be "given another chance to play this game".
Monday 7 March 2016 20:16, UK
Maria Sharapova has been suspended from tennis after revealing she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.
The International Tennis Federation announced a provisional suspension starting 12 March after the 28-year-old staged a news conference to make public the failed test.
Sharapova explained she had tested positive for meldonium, a substance prescribed by her family doctor since 2006.
Meldonium, which is designed to boost metabolism and endurance, and has been used in the treatment of angina, was added to the prohibited list on 1 January.
The Russian said she did not look at the updated ban list before taking the drug.
Sharapova told reporters in Los Angeles: "I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it.
"I was first given the substance back in 2006. I had several health issues going on at the time.
"I was getting sick very often and I had a deficiency in magnesium and a family history of diabetes, and there were signs of diabetes. That is one of the medications, along with others, that I received." 聽
She added: "I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down and I let the sport down. I have been playing since the age of four a sport that I love so deeply.
"I know that with this I face consequences and I don't want to end my career this way. I really hope that I will be given another chance to play this game."
Former UK anti-doping chief Michele Verroken told Sky News that Sharapova faces "the possibility of a minimum of a one-year ban".
Women's Tennis Association chairman Steve Simon said Sharapova had always been a "woman of great integrity".
But he added: "It is every player's responsibility to know what they put in their body and to know what is permissible."
Injury has meant the former world number one has not competed since losing to Serena Williams in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January.
Sharapova has won five grand slams and is currently ranked sixth in the world.
According to Forbes, she has been the most highly paid female athlete in the world for 11 years straight.