Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has been one of the most dominant women in tennis and in all of the sport over the past decade. However, after she was caught using the banned drug meldonium to help improve her performance, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have slapped a two-year international ban on the tennis superstar.
The ITF was actually aiming for a ban twice as long, according to CNN. However, Sharapova strongly thinks that the ban imposed on her is overly harsh and will appeal to have it overturned. Retired professional tennis player Pat Cash believes the opposite and says the ban on the 5-time single Grand Slam winner is far too lenient.
In spite of the ban, Nike has come out with a statement saying that they will continue to sponsor Sharapova and work with her in the future. The sportswear company came out with a statement saying, "based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her." Sharapova was suspended from Nike back in March when news first broke of her failed drug test.
It is worth noting that Nike has not been so kind with its other athletes in the past when they have drawn public and organizational ire, with Tiger Woods and Manny Pacquiao being prime examples. Sharapova has released an official statement about her reaction to the ITF's ban on her official Facebook page. Included in the statement is a short summary of the ITF rules and regulations surrounding Sharapova's case prepared by her own lawyer.
In the post, Sharapova states that she will "immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport." She also said that she would fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible because she misses playing tennis and seeing her fans.
