When Maria Sharapova called a press conference for this evening, most simply assumed that she would announce her retirement and promptly rebrand herself as a jet-setting international businesswoman.
However, the whole thing took off in a very direction.
Sharapova told the audience that she had tested positive for a banned substance - the rather otherworldly sounding item called Meldonium - at this year's Australian Open. She has been taking the substance in question for ten years - having been prescribed it by the family doctor.
Crucially, it only entered onto the banned list in January of this year.
Sharapova, a perennial bridesmaid, usually at Serena Williams wedding, has won five Grand Slams in her career thus far. All of these Slams were won legally.
All of these Slams were won legally, under the rules which prevailed at the time. Indeed, her first Grand Slam (Wimbledon 2004) was won before she began taking this troublesome medicine.
It is expected that Sharapova will face a one year ban.
Ross Tucker, South African Professor of Exercise Physiology at Free State University has some interesting observations about the drug.
As ever with doping stories, the reaction has zipped violently between the understanding and the sceptical. Most tennis players, however, with one glaring exception, appear quite sympathetic to Sharapova.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Jennifer Capriati, whose career was interrupted by personal troubles, adopted an unsympathetic line.
She blatantly accused Sharapova of gaming the system.
Im extremely angry and disappointed. I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what.i had to throw in the towel and suffer
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
i didn't have the high priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up
— Jennifer Capriati (@JenCapriati) March 7, 2016
Hold your horses everyone- about Maria- I don't have all the facts, I hope it's an honest mistake,stuff was legal as far as I know till 2015
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 7, 2016
She even shot up in the estimation of James Blake.
Wow. Classy of @MariaSharapova to hold a press conference for this and admit making a mistake. Definitely agree that have to be aware though
— James Blake (@JRBlake) March 7, 2016
Still stunned that nobody on Shazza team checked new list from wada, players are responsible but this is big time oversight on team as well
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 7, 2016
Maria handled that so well. In my opinion, honest mistake from a great champion.
— Ryan Harrison (@ryanharrison92) March 7, 2016
