Russian tennis player Sharapova said it failed a doping test for Meldonium at the Australian Open

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova said that she took Meldonium (Mildronate) doping for 10 years

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova said it received notification that its doping sample taken during the performance at the Australian Open, the traces of a prohibited substance Meldonium (Mildronate) were found, while she does not want to finish his career in this way, and hopes that in the future will act.

The former top-ranked Sharapova, being the winner of five Grand Slam, the Australian Open has reached the quarter-finals, which gave way to American Serena Williams.

"A few days ago I received a letter from the ITF, I failed a doping test during the Australian Open. I fully accept responsibility for what happened. The last ten years I have been taking the drug, which is called Mildronate, which gave me a family doctor. A few days after the letter I learned that the drug has a different name - "Meldonium" - what I did not know for ten years, he was not included in the prohibited list, and I took it legally, but from January 1, the rules have changed, and he became a prohibited drug. " - Sharapova said at a press conference.

"Every day I was coming to my work with responsibility and professionalism, I made a huge mistake, let down my fans and all sports, which I dealt with four years and which I love. I understand the possible consequences, but do not want to finish his career in this way, and I hope that I will present a second chance, "- added a tennis player.

On Monday, it became known that the Russian figure skater Ekaterina Bobrova passed a positive doping test in her sample also found Meldonium traces. In February, the application of Meldonium (mildronate) has been convicted cyclist Russian team "Katyusha" Eduard Vorganov.