Maria Sharapova fails doping test

A banned drug was found in Maria Sharapova's doping test. The tennis player announced this at a special press conference on March 7.

According to Sharapova, the International Tennis Federation sent her a letter stating that a banned drug had been found in a sample given to her in January during the Australian Open.

Sharapova said she had been taking a prescription drug for the past ten years that was on the banned list in 2016. In December, the World Anti-Doping Agency sent her an updated list, but she did not pay attention to the changes.

“I know there will be consequences, but I don’t want to end my career this way,” Sharapova said. “I hope I get another chance to play.”

• On March 6, Maria Sharapova said she was going to make an "important announcement" at a press conference on Monday, March 7. Due to the fact that the tennis player experienced health problems, many feared that Sharapova would announce her retirement.
• Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam winner and one of the highest paid tennis players in the world. She is ranked seventh in the WTA rankings.