Maria Sharapova announces she failed drug test at Australian Open
Published on: Monday 7 March 2016 //
sports
Maria Sharapova in a major announcement in Los Angeles stated she had tested positive for a banned substance. (Source: Reuters)
Tennis star Maria Sharapova says she has failed a drug test at the Australian Open.
A five-time major champion made the announcement at a news conference on Monday in Los Angeles.
Sharapova said she tested positive for meldonium, which she has been taking for 10 years for health issues. Meldonium became a banned substance this year on January 1.
The WTA has not announced a penalty.
Sharapova, currently sidelined with a forearm injury, hasn’t competed since losing to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January.
