Maria Sharapova was suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, it was announced Wednesday.
Sharapova, 29, announced in March that she had tested positive for meldonium on Jan. 26 at the Australian Open and began serving a provisional suspension. Meldonium, a heart medication that is said to improve blood flow and allow athletes to recover faster, was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list in January after the agency monitored its usage for a year.
Sharapova said she had received email notification about the 2016 regulations but did not read it.