Maria Sharapova has been banned for a long time by the International Tennis Federation for utilizing a restricted medication.
The Russian was temporarily banned in March subsequent to testing positive for meldonium at January’s Australian Open.
The coronary illness drug, which 29-year-old Sharapova says she has been taking subsequent to 2006 for wellbeing issues, turned into a banned substance on 1 January 2016.
The five-time Grand Slam champ said she “cannot accept” the “unfairly harsh” boycott – and will claim.
Sharapova will challenge the suspension, which is predated to 26 January 2016, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
In an announcement, she said the tribunal closed her offense was “unintentional” and that she had not attempted to utilize a “performance-enhancing substance”.
However, she asserted the ITF had requested that the tribunal force a four-year boycott, including it “spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules”.
The tribunal administering said Sharapova tried positive for meldonium in an out-of rivalry test on 2 February, and additionally in the repercussions of her Australian Open quarter-last annihilation by Serena Williams on 26 January.
It regarded both results as a solitary hostile to doping infringement.
The London 2012 Olympic silver medallist added: “I have missed playing tennis and I have missed my amazing fans… your love and support has gotten me through these tough days.
“I intend to stand for what I believe is right and that’s why I will fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible.”
The ITF won’t claim against the tribunal’s choice.
In any case, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) said it would “review the decision, including its reasoning” and choose whether to claim.
Nike, which suspended its association with Sharapova in January, said it would “continue to partner” the Russian, in view of the tribunal’s discoveries.
Sharapova was Forbes’ most generously compensated female competitor for 11 back to back years until Williams moved over her this year. The American made £28.9m from rewards and supports to Sharapova’s £21.9m.
Matured 17, Sharapova turned into the principal Russian to win Wimbledon in 2004, included the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008, preceding finishing a profession Grand Slam with the French Open title in 2012.
The federation said the Russian was “the sole author of her own misfortune”, as she had “failed to take any steps to check whether continued use of the medicine was permissible”.
Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki described Sharapova’s case as a “sad situation”.
“Tennis has a really strong anti-drug policy in place and it helps the sport really keep clean,” the 25-year-old.
“It’s always a sad situation when someone is getting banned or you have heard they have failed a drug test, not only for Maria but for tennis in general.”
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