Maria Sharapova's thank-you post to fans
Maria Sharapova has posted a thank you message on Facebook to friends and fans for their support after she admitted failing a drugs test.
The Russian star announced at a press conference in Los Angeles on Monday, she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open - claiming she had simply made a mistake by continuing to take the drug without checking to see if it was banned.
She says the banned substance meldonium was in her system because of medicine she's been taking for 10 years for health issues.
In the post, Sharapova said she wants to return to playing tennis competitively at some point. Tennis champion, Serena Williams also extended her support, describing the announcement as a courageous act.
Meldonium was added to the list of banned performance-enhancing drugs in January.
See the post addressed to her fans below.
I woke up yesterday morning with an inbox, in full capacity of love and compassion. The first email I immediately...
Posted by Maria Sharapova on Wednesday, March 9, 2016