Sharapova lodges appeal, decision due by July 18
The former world number one has appealed against her two-year ban for using a prohibited substance at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
As was widely anticipated after her two-year ban for using a banned substance was handed down by the International Tennis Federation earlier this month, Russian former world number one Maria Sharapova has lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to have the ban either lifted completely or reduced.
Sharapova, 29, was banned by the ITF following her positive test for the prohibited drug meldonium while competing at the Australian Open in January. Sharapova, winner of five Grand Slam titles, had been using the drug as prescribed by a family doctor for several years to treat diabetes and low magnesium, she explained in March after the positive test had been confirmed. Meldonium was added to the list of banned substances in January and although the ITF sent the information to players via email, Sharapova said she had failed to read it.
A decision is expected by July 18, Lausanne-based CAS said in a statement on Tuesday.