On Monday, March 7th, Maria Sharapova, the Women’s Tennis Association’s seventh ranked tennis player in the world, held a press conference in Los Angeles, CA where she admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. Sharapova confessed that she had been using a medicine which contained meldonium, a drug known to help increase oxygen flow, in order to treat the various health issues that she had been experiencing such as an irregular EKG and a recurring case of the flu. Sharapova claimed that she had been using the drug for ten years and was unaware that it was to be added to the list of banned substances presented by the World Anti-Doping Agency which became effective January 1st of this year. The agency claimed that meldonium was being exploited by athletes because of its ability to channel more oxygen to the heart during strenuous activity. Because of the new regulation, Sharapova failed the drug test at the Australian Open this year which has resulted in a staggering blow to her athletic career and her numerous sponsorship deals.

Sharapova’s press conference was to the point and very matter of fact. As soon as Sharapova appeared before the various reporters, after she thanked them for being there, she explained that she had recently been notified of the failed test. She then went on to say that she takes full responsibility for taking the drug, but she was also quick to say that she was unaware of the fact that the drug contained meldonium, and that it had been added to the list of prohibited substances. When questioned about her claim that her doctors were oblivious to this regulation, Sharapova responded by saying that she still takes “full responsibility of it because it’s my body and it’s what I put into my body and I can’t blame anybody for it but myself.” Still, Sharapova has been applauded for the way that she addressed the issue before the media had the chance, and for the way that she acknowledged her fault in the situation. The entire press conference, including time for a short Q&A, lasted only about seven minutes. This snippet of an explanation left many with a multitude of unanswered questions.

In the days after the press conference, Sharapova lost a significant sponsor due to the scandal. Nike quickly revoked its sponsorship and issued a statement saying, “We are saddened and surprised by the news about Maria Sharapova. We have decided to suspend our relationship with Maria while the investigation continues. We will continue to monitor the situation.” Evian said that they would keep monitoring the situation, as it unfolds, and that they will continue to support her just as they have over the years. HEAD Tennis, has said they will completely support her as she moves forward and that “Maria may have made a mistake, but she has earned the benefit of the doubt and we are extending it to her”. While it remains unclear what kind of suspension Sharapova will get from playing professional tennis, it will be difficult to completely erase this scandal from her career.