MARIA SHARAPOVA’S SUSPENSION REDUCED FROM TWO YEARS TO 15 MONTHS BY COURT ARBITRATION FOR SPORT

Written by: Staff on 4th October 2016

MARIA SHARAPOVA'S SUSPENSION REDUCED FROM TWO YEARS TO 15 MONTHS BY COURT ARBITRATION FOR SPORT

epa05111998 Maria Sharapova of Russia gestures after winning against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus during their second round match on day three of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2016. EPA/JULIAN SMITH EPA/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

By Ricky Dimon

The Court of Arbitration for Sport announced on Tuesday morning that Maria Sharapova’s suspension has been reduced from 24 months to 15 months. With her ban retroactive to when she tested positive for meldonium at this year’s Australian Open, Sharapova will be eligible to return on April 26 of 2017.

In a 28-page ruling, the CAS said it overturned–at least to some extent–the suspension that had been imposed by the International Tennis Federation because “under no circumstances…can the player be considered to be an ‘intentional’ doper.” The court added that Sharapova acted with “no significant fault.”

“The panel wishes to point out that the case it heard…was not about an athlete who cheated,” the court concluded. “It was only about the degree of fault that can be imputed to a player for her failure to make sure that the substance contained in the product she has been legally taking over a long period, and for most of the time under the basis of a doctor’s prescription, remained in compliance.”

Sharapova issued a statement via Facebook, which began, “Hello SharaFamily! I’ve gone from one of the toughest days of my career last March when I learned about my suspension to now, one of the happiest days, as I found out I can return to tennis in April. In so many ways, I feel like something I love was taken away from me and it will feel really good to have it back. Tennis is my passion and I have missed it. I am counting the days until I can return to the court.

”I have learned from this, and I hope the ITF has as well. I have taken responsibility from the very beginning for not knowing that the over-the-counter supplement I had been taking for the last 10 years was no longer allowed.”

Head, one of four major brands that Sharapova still endorses (also Nike, Evian, and Porsche), offered its enthusiasm in response to Tuesday’s news.

“We are very proud to have stood by Maria for the right reasons throughout these difficult and testing times for both Maria and those who have supported her all over the world,” Head chairman and CEO Johan Eliasch commented.

With her ban down to 15 months, the 29-year-old Russian will be able to play in the last three majors in 2016–beginning with the French Open in May.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Maria Sharapova of Russia in action against Lauren Davis of the USA during their third round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2016. EPA/LYNN BO BO

Maria Sharapova of Russia serves the ball to Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus during the second round match of the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2016. EPA/FILIP SINGER

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2016 Australian Open, Itf, Maria Sharapova, meldonium, Ricky Dimon, Sharapova tennis, sports news, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

October 4, 2016 at 7:15 pm

-@MariaSharapova’s Suspension Reduced From Two Years To 15 Months By Court Arbitration For Sport… https://t.co/RhOqCmzVA5
sventennis says:

October 4, 2016 at 8:02 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@MariaSharapova’s Suspension Reduced From Two Years To 15 Months By Court Arbitration For Sport
https://t.co/AqcccIrVED…
nostrarosh says:

October 4, 2016 at 8:03 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@MariaSharapova’s Suspension Reduced From Two Years To 15 Months By Court Arbitration For Sport
https://t.co/AqcccIrVED…
FedPova says:

October 4, 2016 at 8:30 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@MariaSharapova’s Suspension Reduced From Two Years To 15 Months By Court Arbitration For Sport
https://t.co/AqcccIrVED…