Sharapova Determined Play Tennis Again
Sharapova Determined Play Tennis Again
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LOS ANGELES - The Russian 28 year old has insisted she is 'determined to play tennis again' as she prepares to begin her provisional suspension for failing a drugs test.
In her first post on social media since her press conference in Los Angeles on Monday, Sharapova thanked her fans on Facebook for their support as she detailed how she felt when waking up on Tuesday.
"I woke up yesterday morning with an inbox, in full capacity of love and compassion," said Sharapova who was seen training on a beach in Los Angeles on Wednesday as reported Daily Mail.
The statement to Sharapova's fans appeared on her Facebook page on Wednesday evening
"The first email I immediately opened was from my best friend, you know, the type of person who can make you smile and cry with only one word and who I spent the evening on the phone with, checking up on me, how was I doing? On average, I love the mornings. New day, new start. It is fair to say that this day was not average. Nothing came to mind at 6am, except that I am determined to play tennis again and I hope I will have the chance to do so. I wish I didn't have to go through this, but I do and I will," she said.
"I needed to sweat, to push through and grind as I have done most of my life, so I made my way to the gym. That's when I realized a bunch of tinted windowed cars were following me. The good old paparazzi, back on the trail. I have not been online much except the odd search for a new antique coffee table (random, I know), but my friends made a collage for me with all your beautiful messages and hashtags that you created (#IStandWithMaria and #LetMariaPlay). I spent the afternoon reading them next to my dog, who couldn't quite understand why this was more important than the walk he was expecting to take,"
'In this moment, I am so proud to call you my fans. Within hours of my announcement, you showed me support and loyalty, which I could only expect to hear when someone would be at the top of their profession. I wanted to let you know that your wonderful words put a smile on my face. I'd like to play again and hope to have the chance to do so. Your messages give me great encouragement. This message isn't anything else but to say thank you. Thank you very much."
For note, Sharapova announced on Monday that she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open for meldonium. Sharapova said on Monday she did not realise the substance was now illegal, but took 'full responsibility' for her actions.
The medication, which Sharapova said she had legally taken throughout her career, was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency at the beginning of the year following 'evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance'.
She has accepted a provisional suspension, which begins on Saturday, and will find out the full sanction she faces after a tribunal hearing expected to take place in April.
In her first post on social media since her press conference in Los Angeles on Monday, Sharapova thanked her fans on Facebook for their support as she detailed how she felt when waking up on Tuesday.
"I woke up yesterday morning with an inbox, in full capacity of love and compassion," said Sharapova who was seen training on a beach in Los Angeles on Wednesday as reported Daily Mail.
The statement to Sharapova's fans appeared on her Facebook page on Wednesday evening
"The first email I immediately opened was from my best friend, you know, the type of person who can make you smile and cry with only one word and who I spent the evening on the phone with, checking up on me, how was I doing? On average, I love the mornings. New day, new start. It is fair to say that this day was not average. Nothing came to mind at 6am, except that I am determined to play tennis again and I hope I will have the chance to do so. I wish I didn't have to go through this, but I do and I will," she said.
"I needed to sweat, to push through and grind as I have done most of my life, so I made my way to the gym. That's when I realized a bunch of tinted windowed cars were following me. The good old paparazzi, back on the trail. I have not been online much except the odd search for a new antique coffee table (random, I know), but my friends made a collage for me with all your beautiful messages and hashtags that you created (#IStandWithMaria and #LetMariaPlay). I spent the afternoon reading them next to my dog, who couldn't quite understand why this was more important than the walk he was expecting to take,"
'In this moment, I am so proud to call you my fans. Within hours of my announcement, you showed me support and loyalty, which I could only expect to hear when someone would be at the top of their profession. I wanted to let you know that your wonderful words put a smile on my face. I'd like to play again and hope to have the chance to do so. Your messages give me great encouragement. This message isn't anything else but to say thank you. Thank you very much."
For note, Sharapova announced on Monday that she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open for meldonium. Sharapova said on Monday she did not realise the substance was now illegal, but took 'full responsibility' for her actions.
The medication, which Sharapova said she had legally taken throughout her career, was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency at the beginning of the year following 'evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance'.
She has accepted a provisional suspension, which begins on Saturday, and will find out the full sanction she faces after a tribunal hearing expected to take place in April.
(rnz)
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