June 8, 2016 – Maria Sharapova Banned from Tennis for Two Years

Russian player Maria Sharapova, former number one in tennis, tested positive for meldonium and was handed a two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation. The ban was backdated to Jan. 26, 2016, which cancelled her ranking and winnings from the Australian Open. The ban ends on Jan. 25, 2018.

The ban could have been four years under ITA rules, but Sharapova’s admission of using the drug swayed the tribunal. Sharapova stated she’d used the drug since 2006 and was not aware it had been added to list of banned drugs.

Sharapova’s ban was reduced to 15 months in Oct. 2016.