Russian Maria Sharapova, champion of the Australian Open in 2008, acknowledged on Thursday that “it is special to be back” in Melbourne Park after serving a fifteen-month sanction for doping.
Niagan’s 30-year-old player was suspended for consuming Meldonium, a metabolic modulator that has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances since January 1, 2016. Analysis of a urine sample collected after his 2016 Australian Open quarter-final match revealed the use of this substance.
Consequently, he could not participate in the 2017 edition so he discounts the days for his reappearance in Melbourne.
“It’s special to be back,” he confessed in an interview prior to the official draw for the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the season, on the Margaret Court court.
«I learned from the bad moments. I had to try again in the smaller tournaments. My parents in China (where he won his first title after the suspension) were very excited, “he said.
Sharapova, number 47 in the world ranking, also assured that the road will be “demanding”, but stressed that “you always have to start from the bottom and win over the best players to succeed.”
“There is no easy way to the top,” he said. EFE
Niagan’s 30-year-old player was suspended for consuming Meldonium, a metabolic modulator that has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances since January 1, 2016. Analysis of a urine sample collected after his 2016 Australian Open quarter-final match revealed the use of this substance.
Consequently, he could not participate in the 2017 edition so he discounts the days for his reappearance in Melbourne.
“It’s special to be back,” he confessed in an interview prior to the official draw for the main draw of the first Grand Slam of the season, on the Margaret Court court.
«I learned from the bad moments. I had to try again in the smaller tournaments. My parents in China (where he won his first title after the suspension) were very excited, “he said.
Sharapova, number 47 in the world ranking, also assured that the road will be “demanding”, but stressed that “you always have to start from the bottom and win over the best players to succeed.”
“There is no easy way to the top,” he said. EFE