AFP, Indian Wells :
Maria Sharapova hit back Friday at suggestions she received five separate warnings about changes to tennis’ anti-doping rules which ultimately led to her testing positive for a banned drug.
A defiant Sharapova defended herself in a post on her Facebook page, saying that she received one clear notice in December titled “Main Changes to the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme for 2016.”
“I should have paid more attention to it. But the other “communications”? They were buried in newsletters, websites, or handouts,” the Russian star said.
Former world number one Sharapova announced Monday that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January.
Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list on January 1.
The 28-year-old Sharapova also insisted Friday that she has never faked an injury to try and foil the drug testers.
“I won’t pretend to be injured so I can hide the truth about my testing,” said Sharapova, vowing to set the record straight over her supposed multiple warnings.
“I am determined to fight back,” she said. “No excuses, but it’s wrong to say I was warned five times.”
The Times of London on Wednesday reported that Sharapova had received five separate notifications that meldonium was to be banned.
The newspaper said three correspondences had been sent by the International Tennis Federation [ITF] and two from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
