International tennis star Maria Sharapova says she failed a drug test at the Australian Open.
The five-time grand slam champion said she took full responsibility for her mistake when she made the announcement at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. She could face a lengthy ban from the International Tennis Federation.
“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.” Sharapova said.
Sharapova, 28 years, said she tested positive for meldonium, which according to her she has been taking for 10 years for numerous health issues. Meldonium became a banned substance Jan. 1 under the World Anti-Doping Agency code. Sharapova claimed she didn’t notice its addition to the banned list.
“I take great responsibility and professionalism in my job, and I made a huge mistake,” Sharapova said. “I let my fans down. I let the sport down that I’ve been playing since the age of 4, that I love so deeply.”
Meldonium is a Latvian-manufactured drug used for treating heart disease in former Soviet Union countries. Meldonium treats ischemia, or lack of blood flow, but can be taken in large doses as a performance-enhancer that increases exercise capacity.
Her penalties could range from a lengthy ban to a minimal sanction with no suspension if officials believe she made an honest mistake. WADA president Craig Reedie told The Associated Press that any athlete found guilty of using meldonium would normally face a one-year suspension.
The ITF’s anti-doping program announced in a statement that Sharapova will be provisionally suspended starting this weekend while her case is examined.
“It’s my body, and I’m responsible for what I put into it,” Sharapova said.
According to Sharapova, she tested positive shortly before she lost to Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Jan. 26.
Sharapova said she began taking meldonium for “several health issues I had back in 2006,” including a magnesium deficiency, regular influenza, “irregular” heart test results and early indications of diabetes, of which she has a family history.
Sharapova and all players were notified of the changes in the WADA banned substances list shortly before Christmas, but Sharapova said she simply missed the change, failing to click on a button that listed the new substances in an email.
“Because she had taken it for so many years, and it was year after year, it just got off the radar,” Hagerty said. “Unfortunately, she didn’t catch it. … When she got the letter, she was shocked, completely stunned. She takes great pride in her integrity and how she approaches the game, and she immediately wanted to come forward and take responsibility.”
With 35 career singles titles and more than $36 million in career earnings, Sharapova is one of the greatest players of her generation, She is currently No. 7 in the WTA rankings after playing just three tournaments and the Fed Cup final in the last eight months since Wimbledon because of injuries.
Sharapova is thought to be the world’s highest-paid female athlete because of her extensive business ventures and endorsement deals. Forbes estimated her earnings at $29.5 million for 2015.
Sharapova burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old Wimbledon champion in 2004, beating Williams in the final. She won the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008 before finally completing the career Grand Slam with French Open titles in 2012 and 2014.
She became the world’s number one player in August 2005 and held the ranking five times for 21 weeks during her career.
