One of the biggest names in women’s tennis is in hot water after she failed a drug test.
Maria Sharapova announced Monday she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January. At a news conference, Sharapova acknowledged the failed drug test, saying she wasn’t aware Meldonium, the drug she tested positive for, was on the banned substances list.
“I failed the test and take full responsibility for that,” Sharapova said, per the BBC.
In fact, Meldonium wasn’t illegal until the World Anti-Doping Agency made a change to its drug testing regulations for 2016. Sharapova claimed she didn’t know of the change, which led to the positive test. Sharapova said Monday she had been taking the drug for health reasons for 10 years.
Sharapova’s punishment hasn’t been announced yet.
Thumbnail photo via Susan Mullane/USA TODAY Sports Images
