[Pete.]

Former world number one Maria Sharapova has revealed she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.

The Russian, 28, tested positive for meldonium, a substance she has been taking since 2006 for health issues.

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, said she was not yet aware of the sanctions she will face.

"I failed the test and take full responsibility for that," said Sharapova, who won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004.

"I had been taking this medicine for the past 10 years, but on 1 January this became a prohibited substance which I did not know."

She added: "I received an email on 22 December from Wada [World Anti-Doping Agency] about the changes happening to the banned list and you can see prohibited items, and I didn't click on that link."

Sharapova is ranked seventh in the world but has played just four tournaments since Wimbledon last July as she has struggled with an arm injury.

Her most recent match was a defeat by Serena Williams at the Australian Open in January, but Sharapova, who turns 29 in April, hopes to be able to return to tennis in the future.

"I made a huge mistake," she said.

"I know I face consequences and I didn't want to end my career this way. I hope I will be given the chance to play this game again."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35750285

Oops! I guess Serena wins again

[LeatherTrumpet]

she has been crap for 10 years. she needs to switch drugs

[EspeonBB]

omg what a mess :deadbanana:

[GiRTh]

Life time ban surely.

[Jordan.]

I feel bad for her, it's unlucky the substance was only just prohibited.

[T*]

It wasn't a performance enhancer, just a banned substance by the tennis committee that was prescribed by her doctor. she is still amazing in my eyes and the fact she was honest about it and actually announced it was a brave decision and shows that she isn't really problematic.

[Alf]

She's got no worries, she can retire on the millions that all the idiot's have given to her because she's good at playing tennis.

She's laughing all the way to the bank, good for her.


I see sports people cheating to enhance their chances of winning every time I watch Match of the day.

[EspeonBB]

She should've really checked the prohibited substances list but I do feel bad for her since she's obviously not purposefully doping

[alex_front2]

I find the title of this thread mystifying. Maria S did not just fail a drugs test. She cheated. She has diabetes. Erm, she peddles sweets Sugapova etc.

If it were Serena Williams or the equivalent in F1 Lewis Hamilton the headline would be XX cheated. Because Sharopova is a media friendly blond blue eyed white lass her behavior is explained away. She also sat on this for 3 days. An Ethiopian female distance runner was banned under similar circumstances, not a PED but a banned substance that had originally not be banned and the media treated her like a criminal #whiteprivildge

Harlem, Africa. – ‏@inomallday

I see Sharapova is going with the tried and true white woman defense of "I didn't know I couldn't do that."

EL OH EL.

......... ‏@XCX_17

Poor Sharapova! Anyways, White privilege so you'll be okay girl!

[T*]

Originally Posted by alex_front2

I find the title of this thread mystifying. Maria S did not just fail a drugs test. She cheated.

If it were Serena Williams or the equivalent in F1 Lewis Hamilton the headline would be XX cheated. Because Sharopova is a media friendly blond blue eyed white lass her behavior is explained away. She also sat on this for 3 days. An Ethiopian female distance runner was banned under similar circumstances, not a PED but a banned substance that had originally not be banned and the media treated her like a criminal #whiteprivildge

You're being ridiculous

[alex_front2]

Originally Posted by Tom*

You're being ridiculous

As a black woman surely you can see that a black athlete, especially a female one would be treated differently by media and sections of sports fans. Surely as a non white woman you must have been annoyed with people excusing Lance Armstrong until he confessed.

@ZCawe1

"Sharapova admits to failing drug test" [White media]
vs.
"Sharapova admits to doping/cheating/negligence" [Reality]

Wording is everything

Ali ‏@ChocMilkSheikh

Love how people offering support to #Sharapova White privilege at its best! She & her team should know what's banned & what's not smh!

[T*]

Originally Posted by alex_front2

As a black woman surely you can seethat a black athlete, especially a female one would be treated differently. Surely as a non white woman you must have been annoyed with people excusing Lance Armstrong until he confessed.

The media hasn't exactly treated Maria like an angel, it's all over the news

[T*]

The reason she is liked by many people isn't because she's white, it's because she's practically tennis royalty and the amount of charity work she does is amazing
That's why you see more people defending her

[Jordan.]

Nothing more boring than a SJW that turns everything into a race issue :sleepyneyde:

[T*]

Originally Posted by Jordan.

Nothing more boring than a SJW that turns everything into a race issue :sleepyneyde:

It really is getting boring

[alex_front2]

Originally Posted by Tom*

The reason she is liked by many people isn't because she's white, it's because she's practically tennis royalty and the amount of charity work she does is amazing
That's why you see more people defending her

Uh uh is that why Serena has 3x as many Twitter followers? Uh huh, uh huh. Yep yep. Yet the media tries to make out its a rivalry even though she hasn't been Serena in 11 years.

[alex_front2]

Originally Posted by Jordan.

Nothing more boring than a SJW that turns everything into a race issue :sleepyneyde:

So, am I supposed to be upset that you don't give **** about racism and try and shut people down for bringing it up. Nope. I'll help you out, why not call me "angry black woman" and use the phrase 'oh your just playing the race card' in predictable futile attempt to shut me down


K. ‏@KGABO__S

Maria Sharapova is White, obviously the media will deem it forgiveable to dope. White Privilege is so dope, talent too...Ask Maria.

Dr JAJA ‏@JajaPhD

Maria Sharapova failed a drug test and the way the media and society is treating the situation is a classic example of White privilege.

[T*]

Are we now making it 'my tennis player is better than your tennis player'
Only on TiBB...

[Jordan.]

Literally what does racism have to do with Maria failing a drug test? a mind boggling concept!

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

OK but will she be banned cause they would have banned Serena already if it was her

[Shaun]

Kill her!!!!!

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Ithinkiloveyoutoo

OK but will she be banned cause they would have banned Serena already if it was her

You don't know that Nike have withdrawn their sponsorship for Sharapova yet continue to sponsor twice caught drug cheat Gatlin..try and fit that into your white privilege theories

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Originally Posted by Cherie

You don't know that Nike have withdrawn their sponsorship for Sharapova yet continue to sponsor twice caught drug cheat Gatlin..try and fit that into your white privilege theories

.

How do I know? Do you not see the unfair scathing Serena gets in the press?

They dropped him in 2006 and rightly so, they just got back with him.


This means all of Sharapova's wins are meaningless. No wonder she had such a temper.

[lostalex]

she is definitely not aging well. what is her citizenship status?

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Ithinkiloveyoutoo

OK but will she be banned cause they would have banned Serena already if it was her

oh can you imagine if it was Serena>? They would be out for blood.

very good point.