Maria Sharapova
Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, 28, announced March 7, 2016 that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open, testing positive for meldonium, which only became a banned substance this year. It was announced October 4, 2016 that her two-year doping ban was reduced to 15 months after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The five-time major champion has competed on the Women's Tennis Association tour since 2001. She ranked No. 1 in the world for the first time at the age of 18.
Here, Sharapova stretches to hit a return to American Serena Williams during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova speaks to the media announcing a failed drug test after the 2015 Australian Open during a press conference today at The LA Hotel Downtown.
Sharapova said she had been taking the drug mildronate, also known as meldonium, for 10 years for numerous health issues. Several other athletes have tested positive for the drug since it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list in January 2016. Sharapova said she did not know midronate and meldonium were the same drug and was unaware of the rule change.
The drug is popular in former Soviet Union countries for among other things fighting heart disease.
Maria Sharapova
Russia's Maria Sharapova celebrates after winning her fourth round match against Switzerland's Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 24, 2016.
Sharapova was defeated by American Serena Williams in their January 25th quarter-final match during the tournament in their 19th career meeting.
Maria Sharapova
(L-R) Photographer Mario Testino, U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Maria Sharapova attend the Spring/Summer 2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Chanel at the Grand Palais which is transformed into a Chanel airport during the Fashion Week in Paris, France, October 6, 2015.
Since her debut on the international tennis circuit Sharapova has had a high off-the-court profile.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova poses for photographers as she holds her trophy after winning the final match over Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain at the Rome Open tennis tournament in Rome, May 17, 2015.
Sharapova has earned 35 career singles titles. She is also believed to be the world's highest paid female athlete because of endorsement deals and business ventures.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova serves to Eugenie Bouchard of Canada during their women's singles quarter-final match at the Australian Open tournament in Melbourne won by Sharapova on January 27, 2015.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova talks to the umpire during the fourth round of action at the French Open, Jan. 6, 2015.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of the Manila Mavericks team poses for photos with fans after beating Kristina Mladenovic of the UAE Royals team in their women's singles tennis match at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) competition in Manila, November 28, 2014.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia poses with her trophy near the Eiffel Tower in Paris a day after winning the women's singles final match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 8, 2014.
It was her second French Open title.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova celebrates after winning her women's singles final match against Simona Halep of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 7, 2014.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova reacts after defeating Marion Bartoli of France in their women's singles quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2012 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 5, 2012 in New York City.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova, of Russia, returns a shot to Lourdes Dominguez Lino, of Spain, during a match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Aug. 29, 2012, in New York.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts during her loss to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the women's final of the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, in this March 31, 2012.
Maria Sharapova
Tennis star Maria Sharapova appears for the launch of Sugarpova candy, Aug. 20, 2012, in New York.
Maria Sharapova
Russia's Maria Sharapova poses on the podium with her silver medal after being defeated by US Serena Williams in the women's singles gold medal match of the London 2012 Olympic Games, at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, Aug. 4, 2012.
Maria Sharapova
Sabine Lisicki of Germany reacts winning against Maria Sharapova of Russia during a fourth round single match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, July 2, 2012.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova holds the trophy after winning the women's final match against Sara Errani of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 9, 2012.
Sharapova won the championship two sets 6-3, 6-2 becoming the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova returns in her quarter final match against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 6, 2012. Sharapova won in two sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Sharapova beat Italy's Sara Errani in the final June 9, 2012 to become the French Open champion.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia screams after winning a point against Sabine Lisicki of Germany during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Aug. 23, 2012.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova, left, shakes hands with Flavia Pennetta of Italy, right after their match during the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sept. 2, 2011.
Maria Sharapova
Russia's Maria Sharapova looks at her runner-up trophy after being defeated by Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the ladies' singles final at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, July 2, 2011.
Maria Sharapova
Russian player Maria Sharapova blows a kiss after beating German player Sabine Lisicki during the women's semi final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Tennis Club, in southwest London on June 30, 2011. Sharapova won 6-4, 6-3.
Maria Sharapova - French Open
Russia's Maria Sharapova returns the ball to China's Li Na during their semifinal match of the French Open tennis tournament, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 2, 2011.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia serves during the women's singles round three match between Maria Sharapova of Russia and Yung-Jan Chan of Taipei on day seven of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 28, 2011 in Paris, France.
Maria Sharapova
Tennis star Maria Sharapova attends the unveiling of her collection at Cole Haan Rockefeller Center Store on Aug. 27, 2009 in New York, New York.
Maria Sharapova
Tennis stars Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams (L-R) appear at center court for the Arthur Ashe Kids Day program prior to the first round of the U.S. Open at the National Tennis Center in New York August 29, 2009.
Sharapova's love life has always received a lot of attention. She has dated fellow tennis players Grigor Demitrov, Roddick and Maroon 5 singer Andy Levine among others.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia serves for a backhand during the Women's Singles fourth round match against Dinara Safina of Russia on day nine of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2008 in Paris, France.
Maria Sharapova
Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova kisses the winners trophy following victory in her womens singles final match against Serbian opponent Ana Ivanovic at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Jan. 26, 2008. Sharapova won 7-5. 6-3.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova poses with women's championship trophy after winning the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Sept. 10, 2006 in New York, New York.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia kisses the championship trophy after her straight set victory over Justine Henin-Hardene of Belgium in the final of the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Sept. 9, 2006 in New York, New York.
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova of Russia and Roger Federer of Switzerland pose for photographs at the Wimbledon Champions Dinner at the Savoy Hotel on July 4, 2004 in London, England.
Maria Sharapova
Portrait of WTA player Maria Sharapova of Russia on May 26, 2003 in Paris, France.
WTA Polo Open
Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return against Maria Sanchez Lorenzo of Spain in their women's singles second round match at the WTA Polo Open in Shanghai, Sept. 18, 2003. Sharapova won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Maria Sharapova
Portrait of Tennis Player Maria Sharapova of Russia during a feature in Indian Wells, Calif. in March of 2002.
Australian Open
Maria Sharapova of Russia in action during the Australian Open held at Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 24, 2002.