Today, on March 7, Maria Sharapova announced that she failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open.
The Russian superstar explained that she had been taking a drug called Meldonium for years that was approved for use but that, with the start of the 2016 season, it became a prohibited item on WADA’s banned substance list.
Sharapova took full responsibility for the error, noting that she received a list of items that would become banned in 2016 at the end of last year but that she failed to read it and notice that the substance that she had been legally taking was now illegal. Sharapova said that she took the drug because she was having health issues and that it helped her stay healthy throughout her career.
Sharapova dispelled rumors that she was retiring today, saying that if she did retire she would not be making the announcement from a Los Angeles hotel. She did admit that she has been having injury trouble recently, but she has not yet planned how long she will be out of tennis for it.
Davenport: Sharapova tested positive on January 26th after AO loss and found out on March 2. Maria has documentation declaring use of drug.
— Matt Fitzgerald (@tennisfitz) March 7, 2016
She said that she will do everything she can to work with the ITF and figure out what penalties, if any, she will receive for this failed test. She has not yet been informed of any penalties or suspensions.
Doping is a taboo topic in the tennis world, with many clamoring and wondering why we never see top players fail or be penalized for taking illegal substances. This is obviously not a case of a top player doping and trying to get around the rules, though. Sharapova was incredibly apologetic and took full responsibility for failing to recognize that she was taking an illegal substance. This will obviously get thrown in to the larger conversation about whether doping happens at the highest levels of tennis, but it does not belong there.
Early indications from her fans and supporters (and even detractors) bear this out, with tweets like the following being far more common than derogatory comments or accusations of cheating. Questions will always come up as to whether this should and will tarnish her reputation, but because of the nature of the failed test and the way she is handling it, it seems like Sharapova should come through with her reputation unscathed.
I have never felt more of a supporter for Maria than I do at this very moment. Handled it classy and forthcoming and incredibly honest.
— The Drive Volley (@thedrivevolley) March 7, 2016
Sharapova has struggled with injuries recently, only competing in the biggest of tournaments since last summer (aside from the 2015 US Open, which she withdrew from). Her results at those tournaments were impressive, though. She reached the semifinals at Wimbledon last year and the quarterfinals of this year’s Australian Open, where she lost to Serena Williams in straight sets.
The substance she was taking was not for these recent injuries, though. As mentioned above, she said that she has been taking this drug since 2006.
Sharapova was also not the only athlete to be caught by this change in WADA policy.
Sharapova not alone. Went largely unnoticed today but Russian ice dancing champion Ekaterina Bobrova also tested positive for meldonium.
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) March 7, 2016
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