Sharapova: The Failed Drug Test

3/10/16

Maria Sharapova


When Maria Sharapova announced that she will be having a press conference, almost everybody speculated a retirement. She is currently injured and has been through injuries that almost ended her career. We were all wrong. We did not expect that the announcement has something to do with failing a drug test. A costly negligence on her part to read an email about the recently added list of banned drug meldonium has now put her tennis career in jeopardy. 

"For the past 10 years I have been given a medicine called mildronate by my doctor, my family doctor, and a few days ago after I received the ITF letter I found out that it also has another name, meldonium, which I did not know.

"It's very important for you to understand for 10 years this medicine was not on WADA's banned list and I had been legally taking the medicine for the past 10 years. But on January 1 the rules had changed and meldonium became a prohibited substance, which I had not known."

Although her case is still under investigation, her endorsements with Nike and Porsche were already affected. People who hate her are now having a social media party of sort. They've been bashing and judging her. American tennis player Jennifer Capriati has been attacking Sharapova on twitter and has attracted some supporters. I really don't know where Jennifer is coming from knowing that she has a tainted reputation. Maria's case is way different from Jennifer's drug case and shoplifting. Capriati is acting like she's got the right to throw stones at Maria.

Four hours ago, this message from Maria Sharapova's official facebook account.

I woke up yesterday morning with an inbox, in full capacity of love and compassion.

The first email I immediately opened was from my best friend, you know, the type of person who can make you smile and cry with only one word and who I spent the evening on the phone with, checking up on me, how was I doing?

On average, I love the mornings. New day, new start. It is fair to say that this day was not average. Nothing came to mind at 6am, except that I am determined to play tennis again and I hope I will have the chance to do so. I wish I didn't have to go through this, but I do - and I will.


I needed to sweat, to push through and grind as I have done most of my life, so I made my way to the gym. That's when I realized a bunch of tinted windowed cars were following me. The good old paparazzi, back on the trail.

I have not been online much except the odd search for a new antique coffee table (random, I know), but my friends made a collage for me with all your beautiful messages and hashtags that you created (‪#‎IStandWithMaria‬ and ‪#‎LetMariaPlay‬). I spent the afternoon reading them next to my dog, who couldn't quite understand why this was more important than the walk he was expecting to take.

In this moment, I am so proud to call you my fans. Within hours of my announcement, you showed me support and loyalty, which I could only expect to hear when someone would be at the top of their profession.

I wanted to let you know that your wonderful words put a smile on my face. I'd like to play again and hope to have the chance to do so. Your messages give me great encouragement. This message isn't anything else but to say thank you. Thank you very much.

- Maria Sharapova

I'm not a big Maria Sharapova fan but I have a certain kind of fondness for her. I saw her play in Manila last 2015 International Premier Tennis League where she was a part of the Manila Mavericks team. She was sweet and the Filipino crowd loved her. 

We all go through major trials in life that mold us into someone better. I know this is just another bend on the road for Maria. I can only wish her the best.