Maria Sharapova announced at a press conference on Monday evening that she failed a drug test at this year’s Australian Open and expects to face a punishment from the ITF.
She said the substance is called meldonium.
“I have to take full responsibility for it, it’s my body and I have to be responsible for what I put in my body,” she said.
The Russian said the substance was legal in tennis until 1 January.
It was something she has been taking for years and it was prescribed by a doctor in 2006 after she had irregular heartbeat and other health conditions including the early signs of diabetes.
She also said the substance was not performance-enhancing for her and she had no idea it was banned until she received a letter from the ITF.
It was not for recovery for the many injuries that have hampered her throughout her career.