Maria Sharapova Failed Drug Test At Australian Open

LOS ANGELES, CA - Tennis star Maria Sharapova announced on Monday that she failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open.

Sharapova held a press conference in Los Angeles where she told the public she had received a letter from the International Tennis Federation a few days ago informing her she had tested positive for Meldonium.

"I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it," she said.

Sharapova said she had been given a drug called Mildronate by her family doctor for the past 10 years. After receiving the letter Sharapova said she found out the drug had another name, Meldonium, which she did not know. She said she first received the substance in 2006 for a variety of health issues including magnesium deficiency and due to her family history of diabetes.

"It's very important for you to know that for the past 10 years, this drug was not on WADA's ban list," she said.

Sharapova said the rules had changed Jan. 1 and Meldonium was classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a prohibited substance. She said she was not aware of this fact.

WADA announced in Sept. 2015 that Meldonium was being added to its list of prohibited substances because of "evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance." Meldonium is used in Latvia and other eastern European countries to treat serious heart problems and aid the circulation of oxygen, the BBC reported last month.

At the press conference, Sharapova said she did receive the updated list of prohibited substances from WADA on Dec. 22 but did not look at the list.

"I let my fans down and I let the sport down," Sharapova said. While not giving details on the future of her career, she said she did not want to end her tennis life this way and hopes she will be given another chance to play the sport professionally.

The public had been speculating Monday what the subject of Sharapova's announcement would be, with rumors saying she would be announcing her retirement.

"If I were to announce my retirement, it would not be at a downtown Los Angeles hotel with such an ugly carpet," she said.

Women's tennis great Martina Navratilova supported Sharapova.

"Sharapova announces that she failed doping test, hope this gets cleared up as it seems to be an honest mistake," she tweeted.

Women's Tennis Association CEO Steve Simon issued the following statement on Sharapova's announcement:

"I am very saddened to hear this news about Maria. Maria is a leader and I have always known her to be a woman of great integrity. Nevertheless, as Maria acknowledged, it is every player's responsibility to know what they put in their body and to know if it is permissible. This matter is now in the hands of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program and its standard procedures. The WTA will support the decisions reached through this process," the statement said.

WADA also issued a statement after Sharapova's announcement.

Since the announcement, several brands have cut ties with Sharapova. 

Currently ranked 7 in women's singles tennis, Sharapova lost 6-4, 6-1 to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. It was Williams' 18th straight win against the Russian. She recently withdrew from the Indian Wells tournament that began Monday due to a left forearm injury. She also missed the 2015 US Open due to a leg strain.

Sharapova turned pro in 2001 and is a five-time grand slam winner. She made her mark in women's tennis at the 2004 Wimbledon, beating Williams 6-1, 6-4 to win her first grand slam title. She was 17 at the time.

This report will be updated.

Image: Maria Sharapova at the 2009 Wimbledon. Image Credit: Justin Smith via Flickr Creative Commons