Maria Sharapova Could Return From Ban in January: Russia Tennis Chief

Tennis queen Maria Sharapova was suspended following a positive test for the banned drug meldonium during January's Australian Open

Maria Sharapova is serving a 2-year suspension after she tested positive for banned substance meldonium.© AFP

Highlights

Maria Sharapova could return to tennis action early next year
Sharapova was handed a two-year suspension for using a banned substance
However, she could return early in case of a favourable CAS ruling

Moscow:

Five-times grand slam winner Maria Sharapova, banned in June for two years for doping offences, may be allowed to return in January, according to Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) president Shamil Tarpishchev.

"Everything will be decided in September. It is impossible to say for certain but I think she will start playing again by January," Tarpishchev was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency on Monday.

Former world number one Sharapova, 29, was suspended following a positive test for the banned drug meldonium during January's Australian Open.

In July, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said a ruling on her case would be held on Sept. 19.

Topics mentioned in this article

Maria Sharapova Tennis

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