Maria Sharapova's doping ban reduced significantly

Jack Davies

Maria Sharapova's doping ban reduced significantly image

Maria Sharapova has had her doping ban cut from two years to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Sharapova was the subject of a suspension that was due to run until January 2018, after testing positive for banned substance meldonium at this year's Australian Open.

The former world No. 1 claimed to be unaware that meldonium had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list at the start of 2016 and duly appealed to CAS.

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A statement from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Tuesday confirmed Sharapova's ban would now run until April 2017. That will keep her out of only the first Grand Slam of the year, giving her time to return for the French Open in May.

“I’ve gone from one of the toughest days of my career last March when I learned about my suspension to now, one of my happiest days, as I found out I can return to tennis in April," Sharapova said in a statement released Tuesday. "In so many ways, I feel like something I love was taken away from me and it will feel really good to have it back.  Tennis is my passion and I have missed it. I am counting the days until I can return to the court."

 

Jack Davies