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Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova announced in a press conference on Monday that she had tested positive for banned drug Meldonium, following which she will be provisionally suspended with effect from March 12. The quantum of her punishment is yet to be announced.
A sample Sharapova provided after her loss to Serena Williams at this year’s Australian Open was found to contain the drug, which is known to boost oxygen uptake and endurance. Effective from January 1 this year, Meldonium was put on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances after the doping watchdog found evidence of several athletes using it to enhance performance.
Meldonium, also known as mildronate, is a Latvian-manufactured drug popular for fighting heart disease in former Soviet Union countries and is little-known in the US, where Sharapova resides. The five-time Grand Slam champion said she began using the drug in 2006 to counter “several health issues,” including a magnesium deficiency, the flu, irregular ECG results and early signs of diabetes, of which she has a family history.
Sharapova and all players were notified of the changes in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned substances list in December. The Russian claimed she simply missed the change, neglecting to click on the link.
The news was shocking, to say the least.
It’s rare for a tennis player to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug. It’s virtually unheard of for a player to announce it themselves, let alone one as high profile as Sharapova.
But the main reason why the news was so shocking was perhaps because it was so unexpected. Once the Russian announced the press conference on Twitter on Monday, social media was rife with speculation as to what it could be about.
Maria Sharapova ✔ ‎ @mariaSharapova
I will hold a press conference today @12pm PST, which will be broadcast LIVE on Maria Sharapova Official Website | Latest pics, videos, results, news, interviews, social and bio. . For more info, visit my website.
5:30 PM - 7 Mar 2016
The prime suspect was a possible retirement. Since her loss to Serena Williams in Wimbledon last year, Sharapova has only played in four events, retiring in her first match in one of them. She also withdrew from the US Open, the China Open, the Brisbane International, last month’s Qatar Open and this week’s Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open, arguably the biggest tournament on tour after the Slams.
Given her long struggle with injuries, it would not have been all that surprising if the Russian had decided to call it quits.
jane @GunnerJane
Speculation was rife Maria Sharapova was to announce her retirement or that she was pregnant. No one guessed a failed drugs test.
1:56 AM - 8 Mar 2016
Chris Goldsmith @TheTennisTalker
It will be a shame if Maria Sharapova announces her retirement... but tennis will go on..... it always does.. and we will all still love it!
1:15 AM - 8 Mar 2016
Rob Koenig @RobKoenigTennis
"Big announcement" coming from @mariaSharapova tomorrow (noon LA time)according to her agent. #Retirement???
12:50 AM - 7 Mar 2016
