The International Tennis Federation has banned Maria Sharapova from playing tennis professionally for two years after she was caught using a prohibited drug, the BBC reports.
The tennis organization had originally placed a provisional ban on the 29-year-old athlete back in March when she tested positive for meldonium during the 2016 Australian Open.
The heart disease drug was placed on the banned substance list on January 1, 2016.
RELATED: Chelsea Handler Wishes Maria Sharapova A Happy Birthday With Most Revealing Nude Selfie Yet
Addressing the ban with her fans on Facebook, Sharapova writes, “While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension.”
She continues, making it clear that she will appeal the two-year ban with the ITF. “The tribunal, whose members were selected by the ITF, agreed that I did not do anything intentionally wrong, yet they seek to keep me from playing tennis for two years,”; the five-time Grand Slam winner explains. “I will immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
RELATED: Maria Sharapova Is Determined To “Fight Back’ Against False Media Reports
Sharapova concludes the statement by thanking her fans for their outpouring of support during this trying time. “I have missed playing tennis and I have missed my amazing fans, who are the best and most loyal fans in the world,” she adds. “I have read your letters. I have read your social media posts and your love and support has gotten me through these tough days.”
Read her complete Facebook statement below.
