Tennis star Maria Sharapova fails drug test at Australian open
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CANBERRA: Russian Tennis Star Maria Sharapova failed drug test at the Australian Open which could put a long term ban on the Tennis Star.
She received a notice which claimed that she was tested positive for meldonium which is a blood flow promoting drug.
The substance was banned under the WADA code in January this year and a notification was also issued to all players.
She claimed that she missed to read the notification.
She said “I know that with this, I face consequences. I don’t want to end my career this way, and I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game.”
She claimed that she was taking the drug since 2006 due to several health issues.
The president of Russian Tennis Federation said “Athletes take what they’re given by Physiotherapists and doctors. I think that Sharapova will play at the Olympics anyway. But we have to see how events develop.”
Sharapova’s sponsor Nike claimed to suspend relationship with her.
Sharapova is one of the highest paid female athlete and Forbes estimated her earnings at $29.5 million for 2015.
She was ascended to No. 1 in 2015; she has won Wimbledon championship in 2004, US Open in 2006, Australian Open in 2008 and French Open titles in 2012 and 2014.
She had remained major champion for 5 times.
