Maria Sharapova has been suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation today, Wednesday June 8 for testing positive for the banned substance ‘meldonium’.
The ban has been backdated to January 26, 2016 – the day the Russian failed her drugs test in Melbourne meaning it will end on January 25, 2018.
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The ban was at the heavier end of expectations and it means she cannot play a Grand Slam until the French Open in 2018.
One particularly damning section of the ITF’s ruling, released on Wednesday afternoon, read: ‘In the tribunal’s view the answer is clear. Whatever the position may have been in 2006, there was in 2016 no diagnosis and no therapeutic advice supporting the continuing use of Mildronate (Meldonium).
The manner of its use, on match days and when undertaking intensive training, is only consistent with an intention to boost her energy levels.
About 200 athletes reportedly tested positive for meldonium this year from various sports and countries, many like Sharapova were Russian and some said the drug stayed in their systems for months even though they stopped using it in 2015.
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Sharapova hasn’t played since a quarterfinal loss to Serena Williams at this year’s Australian Open, and she is ranked 26th this week.
