Maria Sharapova still questions the rationality from World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Tennis Federation about the length of her initial suspension.
Surprising news dropped on Tuesday, as Sharapova’s suspension was reduced from a two-year ban to 15 months. The determination was made after arbitration ruled the tennis star was at “no significant fault,’ for a testing positive for meldonium, a noted banned substance. When asked by Darren Rovell of ESPN.com whether she believed she was unfairly targeted by WADA and ITF, Sharapova expressed disappointment.
“I don’t want to think that,” Sharapova said during an interview with ESPN. “I hate to think that. It’s not a great feeling to even consider that.
“It’s hard not to when the Tennis Federation asks for me to be banned for four years.”
Sharapova does have a right to be salty, as both WADA and ITF put her head on a platter in making an example out of her failed drug test.
Sharapova also questioned meldonium’s performance-enhancing capabilities and questioned the research behind WADA’s ban of the drug.
“I won’t treat it that way,” she said. “I think the one thing that I’d love to see — and if anyone could show me — is evidence on the performance-enhancing effect that it has.
“Nothing, since all these cases have come out, has WADA come out with actual research. And they’ve actually said they didn’t do exertion research.”
Sharapova had her name disgraced by WADA and the ITF and the circumstances regarding her suspension remained somewhat controversial. It will be interesting to see what sort of action, if any, Sharapova will take against the organizations.
[ESPN]
