Maria Sharapova speaks about doping suspension ahead of ANA Inspiration
It has been 14 months since Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova was suspended after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. On Tuesday, she spoke out about the issue for the first time at the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration for Women in Sports Conference in Rancho Mirage.
“You don’t realize you love something, or how much it means to you, until you lose it for some time,” Sharapova said during a sit-down interview with the event’s emcee, U.S. Women’s Soccer star Julie Foudy.
The International Tennis Federation originally banned Sharapova for two years. The one-time highest paid female athlete in the world successfully fought to get the suspension lessened to 15 months.
“You always want to end a chapter of your career on your choice. To feel like it was going to end on someone else’s choice was very hard,” she added.
Sharapova will step back into the competitive circuit next month.
For more than a year, she kept herself busy by taking classes at Harvard, interning in the fashion world, writing a memoir and even attending the 2016 Coachella Music Festival.
“I’m skipping Coachella this year,” Sharapova said with a laugh.
When asked if she were hoping to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games, Sharapova said she was not sure. She said plans to wait to see what life serves her next.
The conference also showcased tennis legend Billie Jean King, U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Captain Aly Raisman and a slew of other professional female athletes.
The LPGA’s ANA Inspiration is set to tee off at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage on Thursday.
Watch: #1 in the world Lydia Ko headlines ANA Inspiration Media Day
KESQ and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner was at the country club for the women’s panel discussion.
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