The International Tennis Federation has imposed a two year ban on Maria Sharapova for doping. The 29 year old tennis star tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January. The metabolic modulator drug was recently added to the banned drug list as of January 1, 2016.
Sharapova’s failed drug test took place on January 26, so the ITF has decided to backdate the five time Grand Slam champion’s two year ban back to the date of the failed test. Sharapova has taken full responsibility for the failed drug test, but does not agree with the ITF’s two year ban.
Videos by PopCulture.com
The ITF also decided to disqualify Sharapova’s points from the Australian open, and to forfeit all her prize money in the amount of $281,633. In addition to losing the endorsements of sponsors such as Nike, American Express and Porsche, these recent penalties also come on the heels of Serena Williams overtaking the top spot as the highest paid female athlete in the world.
Sharapova stated she believes the punishment is “unfair” yet the ITF felt they were already cutting her some slack in light of the fact that she immediately admitted to taking the drug. Sharapova stated, “The ITF spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules and the tribunal concluded I did not. You need to know that the ITF asked the tribunal to suspend me for four years – the required suspension for an intentional violation – and the tribunal rejected the ITF’s position.”
Sharapova plans to immediately appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the hopes of reducing the length of the ban. Is a two year ban from the sport too harsh or is the punishment fitting for the crime committed?
