Tennis: Maria Sharapova suspended after testing positive – Le Parisien

The Russian kept his word, but unlike what is whispered, it was not to announce his retirement. “I received it a few days ago a letter from the International Tennis Federation informing me that I had been a positive test at the Australian Open” on January 26 revealed the player of 28 years, visibly moved.

a few minutes after the end of Sharapova’s press conference, the international tennis Federation announced in a statement that the Russian player was “suspended provisionally from 12 March pending the conduct of the proceedings. “

” for ten years, I take a prescription medication to my family doctor (…), this drug was not on the list of products prohibited by WADA, but the rules changed on 1 January and this drug has become a prohibited product, I do not know, “she said.

Sharapova did “not want to end his career this way”

The drug, the meldonium, is intended to treat diabetes-related problems , she said. Mainly used in the prevention of heart attack, it is classified as metabolic hormones and modulators (group S4) since 1 January 2016.

Developed in the 1970s in the former USSR, the drug agitated for several weeks doping authorities: the Swedish Abeba Aregawi, world champion in 2013 in the 1,500 Russian pair Ekaterina Bobrova (figure skating), Ukrainian biathlete Olga Abramova and the rider of the Russian cycling team Katusha Edouard Vorganov were all tested positive for the substance.

“I made a huge mistake, I have disappointed my fans, I dropped my sport, I know that I expose myself to the consequences, but I do not want to end my career that way and I hope I’ll have the chance to play again, “said the former World No. 1, who won five Grand Slam tournaments during his career.

The 7th World player injured her forearm and no longer appeared on the track just since the Australian Open. In Melbourne, she was inclined to final against Serena Williams shifts.

Before revealing its control, the Russian player attempted a touch of humor to the audience of journalists gathered. “But if I was there to announce my retirement, I would not be in a cheap hotel in downtown Los Angeles with this horrible carpet.”