Tennis player Maria Sharapova addresses the
media regarding a failed drug test at
The LA Hotel Downtown on March 7,
2016 in Los Angeles, California. Sharapova,
a five-time major champion,
is currently the 7th ranked player on the WTA tour. Sharapova,
withdrew
from this week’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells due to injury.
28 year old tennis star Maria Sharapova (currently the world’s highest paid female athlete, according to Forbes) admitted she took an illegal drug, and failed a drug test earlier this year at the Australian Open.
She said she had been taking the
drug, mildronate, also known as meldonium, issued by her family doctor
for the past ten years.
However, as of January 1st 2016, the drug became
prohibited and she wasn’t aware.
She say she takes full responsibility,
and hopes she isn’t barred from playing tennis. She has been playing the
sport since she was four years old.
“I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down, I let the sport down.“I know with this that I face consequences.“I don’t want to end my career this way, and I really hope I’m given another chance to play this game.”
This failed drug test is a costly mistake, as TAG Heuer has already ended their partnership with her, and Nike has suspended their partnership. According to Telegraph UK,
Nike and TAG Heuer have been quick to make statements about the Sharapova case but if her corporate deals fall through as a result of her positive drugs test she could lose most of her sources of income.
Sharapova earned £16.1m last year in endorsements alone. Her earnings from tournaments amounted to a mere £4.7m in 2014 – and that was including her last slam win at Roland Garros the same year.
Sharapova’s eight-year deal with Nike is worth £49m while she also has a five-year contract with Evian and a three-year deal with Porsche.
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