Sports giant Nike suspends deal with Sharapova after drugs test admission

Nike has said it is “saddened and surprised” by Maria Sharapova’s admission that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open. The U.S. sportswear giant announced it will suspend its relationship with the tennis star while her use of the substance meldonium is examined by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Sharapova’s other sponsors could follow suit in pulling the plug on lucrative endorsements, and the cosmetics company Avon has refused to comment on its partnership with the five-time Grand Slam champion. Sharapova had been taking meldonium, often used to treat magnesium deficiency and diabetes, for a decade - and the substance was only banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency on 1 January.

I know that with this I face consequences and I don’t want to end my career this way.

Maria Sharapova

She told a packed news conference that she had failed to read an email attachment notifying her that the drug was now off-limits to athletes - plunging her career into jeopardy, as well as the chance to compete in the Rio Olympics. Sharapova said: “I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down and I let the sport down. I take full responsibility for it.” Several athletes have been banned over recent weeks for taking the substance which can enhance oxygen uptake in the body and endurance.

Because she had taken it for so many years, and it was OK year after year, it just got off the radar.

Her lawyer, John Haggerty

Nike Sharapova