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Maria Sharapova’s 2-years doping ban reduced to 15 months

Tennis is my passion and I have missed it and I am counting the days until I can return to the court, says Maria Sharapova

• By: Ankit Chatterjee |
• October 7, 2016 2:20 pm

• Tags: Maria Sharapova,

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) had banned Maria Sharapova for 2-years for substance abuse. But now the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced her ban to 15 months on appeal. It means Sharapova will return to the court in April, 2017 to continue her WTA tour.

JUST IN: @MariaSharapova‘s doping ban has been reduced to 15 months by a court of arbitration. She’s eligible for an April 26, 2017 return. pic.twitter.com/abOjL2D88e

— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) October 4, 2016

The 29-year-old Russian ace admitted to have taken a medication drug called Meldonium that is commonly known as Mildronate for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency.

The substance which is available over the counter in Russia without a prescription was banned in 2015 by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Maria Sharapova: “I’m coming back soon and I can’t wait! 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.”