Maria Sharapova is one of the most recognizable women in the sport of tennis. However, she will certainly fall out of the spotlight after receiving a two-year ban from the sport on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, the former world No. 1 admitted that she had tested positive for meldonium ahead of the Australian Open in March. She said she continued to take the drug, which she knew by the name mildronate, even after it been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances for 2016.
Along with the suspension, which keeps Sharapova out of the sport until January of 2018, she will be docked $375,000 and ranking points she earned for reaching the quarterfinals of the Open two months ago.
Maria Sharapova, a five-time Major champion, recently turned 29 years old and many believe that a two-year ban, while less severe than the maximum five-year suspension, could spell the end of her storied career.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports