Sharapova Wins Support From High Profile Sponsors In Her Fight Against 2 Years’ Banning

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova, the Russian born American tennis star has found support from her sponsors following a two year ban imposed by International Tennis Federation on June 8. The banning appears after she has been tested positive for abuse of prohibited substance meldonium. Sharapova has vowed fighting against the banning.

Nike, one of the largest manufacturer and supplier of sports gear and a major sponsor of Sharapova, has lifted suspension on the bilateral contract, imposed in March, centering her failed drug test. Other high profile sponsors like racket manufacturer, Head and bottled water company, Evian have also stood by the popular tennis star.

The sports wear company has postponed the eight years’ $70 million deal soon after the test result got public. But on June 8, it has announced continuing working with Sharapova.

The tennis star hasn’t intentionally taken a band drug, observes an independent tribunal empowered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). However, the tribunal holds her accused of doing a certain degree of fault since she has been taking meldonium to enhance her performance.

Sharapova has remained transparent throughout the trial, apologized for her unintended mistake and now is appealing for reducing the ban. On the basis of factual findings of the ITF tribunal, Nike expects her early return to the court and continue partner with her, reports The Guardian citing a Nike statement as the source.

Meanwhile, Porshe, the car manufacturer has expressed optimism saying it will wait to see the outcome of her appeal. Tag Heuer, the Swiss watchmaker has cut ties with the superstar in March and hasn’t ruled out possibility for working together in the near future. Though Avon, the cosmetic manufacturer is severing all ties with Sharapova, but it observes the banning as a limited engagement, according to a report published in BBC.

In light of the evidence submitted by Miss Sharapova, WADA and Dr Don Catlin (the Chief Science Officer of the Banned Substances Control Group), Head chairman Johan Eliasch considers that ITF has made the decision through a flawed process undertaken by WADA. In this case, WADA has broken own rules in deciding whether or meldonium should be banned, continues the Head chairman in his statement.

The 29 year old female tennis star has admitted in March failing the dope test conducted during the first grand slam tournament of the year through a press conference. She has also acknowledged taking Meldrinate containing the band substance meldonium for the last 10 years. Notably mentioning, World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has declared meldonium substance as contraband since start of this year, reports The Independent.       

     

Meanwhile, Sharapova has confirmed to challenge the two year ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A post in Sharapova’s Facebook page has expressed her intention for challenging the ban length. Since the tribunal has accepted her statement on unintentional abuse, so she has decided to fight against the unnecessarily harsh two-year suspension, continues the tennis super star as saying.