The highest paid women in sports Maria Sharapova failed to pass drug test at Australian Open. Russian tennis star Sharapova said on Monday that she failed a drug test due to a substance she has been taking for 10 years for health issues.
The International Tennis Federation said “A 28 year tennis star is a five time grand slam champion, will be provisionally suspended starting March 12”.
Sharapova who became the third youngest Wimbledon champion said "I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down and I let the sport down, I take full responsibility for it." "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 world No.1 Sharapova told a news conference in a downtown Los Angeles hotel.
If the player shows no significant fault or negligence or bear no fault or negligence, or as for first time offences there will be no suspension. However, the ITF’s anti doping program calls for a four year suspension for a positive test.