TENNIS - Tennis star Sharapova failed drug test at the Australia Open, faces suspension

The winner of the Grand Slam on six occasions supports the use of meldonium for health, says he made a big mistake.

Maria Sharapova, the highest-paid woman in the sport, said on Monday that failed a drug test at the Australia Open due to a substance that has been taking for 10 years because of health problems.

The 28-year-old Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, is provisionally suspended from March 12, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) reported.

She is the seventh athlete in a month to put a positive test for meldonium, used to treat diabetes and low magnesium levels, and was only banned by the World Anti from 1 January.

"I made a big mistake. I let my fans down and let the sport down," Sharapova, teen tennis prodigy who became the youngest third Wimbledon champion said. "I take full responsibility for it."

"I know that with this face consequences and do not want to end my career this way. I really hope I will be given another chance to play this game," the former world No.1 Sharapova told a news conference at a hotel downtown Los Angeles.

ITF anti-doping program calls for a four-year suspension for a positive test, but the ban can be reduced in various circumstances, such as crimes for the first time or if the player does not show any significant fault or negligence. If a player has no fault or negligence, no suspension.

According to Forbes, he earned $ 29.5 million in 2015, mostly from endorsements.

Sharapova said her doctor had been giving Mildronate, which is also called meldonium, for 10 years after often ill, had irregular results EKG, a magnesium deficiency and a family history of diabetes.

"It is very important that you understand that for 10 years, this drug was not on the prohibited list of WADA and had been taking the drug legally. But the first of January, the rules have changed and meldonium became a prohibited substance . "

The World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, declined to comment until the ITF issues a final decision.

Meldonium is used to treat chest pain and heart attacks among other conditions, but some researchers have linked to increased athletic performance and endurance. Which it is registered by the AMA among its prohibited metabolic modulators, along with insulin, and some researchers say it can also help recovery.

It is not approved in the United States, but is available in Russia, Latvia and other countries in the region.

During the past month, the Russian cyclist Eduard Vorganov, Russian figure skater Ekaterina Bobrova and athletes born in Ethiopia Endeshaw Negesse and Abeba Aregawi and Ukraine Olga Abramova and Artem Biathletes Tyshchenko have tested positive for meldonium.

Sharapova is the most prominent positive for a banned substance in recent years tennis.

Marin Cilic was suspended for nine months in 2013 after testing positive for a banned stimulant, despite the suspension was reduced to four months on appeal.

The former No. 1 Swiss player Martina Hingis retired after receiving a two-year suspension for a positive test for cocaine in 2007, although he refused to take the medicine.

Last year, the sport banned US player Wayne Odesnik for 15 years after his second doping violation, testing positive for steroids and other banned substances.

Sharapova is the biggest name in the sport to put a positive test from New York Yankees baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez was suspended for one year in 2013 after using drugs to improve performance and American cyclist Lance Armstrong was banned for life the competition in 2012 after a US Anti-Doping investigation.

Sharapova, one of the most popular sport worldwide figures, has long been a favorite with the sponsors. cosmetics maker Avon Products Inc declined to comment on their endorsements. Nike Inc, maker of the world and the largest shoe another sponsor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Steve Simon, executive director of the Women's Tennis Association, said in a statement that it was saddened to hear the news.

"Maria (Sharapova) is a leader and I've always known to be a woman of great integrity," he said. "However, as recognized Mary, it is the responsibility of each player to know what they put in their body and know if it is allowed. The WTA will support the decisions made by this process."

The news came a day after the team management Sharapova said she would make a "major announcement" which was much speculation that he would announce his retirement from professional tennis.

Sharapova, who has struggled with a series of injuries in recent years, has not competed since losing to Serena Williams in the quarter-finals of the Australia Open in January.

Renowned for his acting never give up, a rough baseline game and high decibel shouting, Sharapova at age 17 he became the first Russian woman to win Wimbledon by beating Serena Williams 6-1 6-4 at the end of 2004.

That win also made him the third youngest Wimbledon champion, behind only Lottie Dod and Martina Hingis, and the fourth youngest Grand Slam champion in the open era after Hingis, Monica Seles and Tracy Austin.