Maria Sharapova Opens Up About Doping Suspension, Appeal, Return To Tennis | TODAY

In her first live television interview since her two-year doping suspension from tennis was reduced to 15 months, Maria Sharapova tells TODAY’s Matt Lauer that when she received an email saying she had made a substance abuse violation, her first instinct was to tell the truth about what had happened. Sharapova says her biggest lesson has been that nothing is handed to you in life that you cannot handle.

About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series.

Connect with TODAY Online!

Maria Sharapova Opens Up About Doping Suspension, Appeal, Return To Tennis | TODAY

[aesop]

If Sharapova is a drug cheater, for taking medication that was legal only 2 weeks before it was banned, how do you justify the the cheaters who take Performance enhancing drugs with WADA approval? Under this system the drug testers will never report positive tests if the athlete has a WADA TUEs certificate. (Therapeutic Use Exemptions)

[witchwildboy]

Oh just stop Maria. Even the doctors who made meldonium said that it was meant
to be taken for only four weeks - she took it continuously for ten
years, hid it from most of her team, and she increased the dose for
important matches. And she didn't win her case, her sentence was simply
reduced. If she "won" the case then she would be playing right now, not
banned from playing until the French Open 2017. Anyway, her reputation
is sullied - she'll be known as a cheater the rest of her career.

[congoline]

Had it been SERENA she wouldn't even be able to comeback they would have banned her for much longer, maybe even LIFE. Maria should be thankful they only gave her 15 months!

[alanroe]

true warrior, she is not the best tennis player but her spirit its amaizing

[DxFlash]

Medicin abuse is a huge social problem, we have to start with that.

When Sharapova did that press conference to announce the violation they asked her why she had taken Meldonium for almost 10 years and she honestly answered: "To keep me healthy".And I believe her. But, you are supposed to take that drug for short periods of time, but she did what most uf us do, which is to abuse that drug, using it on a regular basis for years.
Maybe using Meldonium every day kept her from suffering some headache in the morning or something like that, but that's not how it's supposed to be used. And, of course, if you feel well you can have better and more proficient trainings, so you get an advantage, even if you didn't take the drug to enhance your performances in the first place.

But the problem is broader: i mean, Simone Biles can take an amphetamine-based drug because of an attention deficit disorder... We are giving amphetamines to our children just because they are a little bit distracted at school! And, on the other side, if they are too lively we treat them for hyperactivity. It's messed up.
And of course, how can a 19 year old olympic athlete who does long and intensive trainings suffer from attention deficit? That's a contradictory idea.

We should try to solve the problem of prescription drugs abuse, and then we could have a serious battle against doping.

[eunicesuero]

Yo no creo que una atleta como ella quiera dañar su hoja de vida así❤ ella a trabajado duro por su carrera maria es hermosa Dios te bendiga😘😘😘😘🇩🇴

[jermainebenson]

She basically said..."You caught me, but I am going to contine to find ways to cheat." Really?

[owenbeharry]

She lack accountability. She sway her answers with no remorse.

[OKai]

her english is immaculate. respect <3

[karrtt]

How can anyone believe it was an honest mistake. She stop putting the drug on her entry-forms, it was not put on her entry form to the Australian Open. If she didn't know it was banned - why did she not put it on her entry form ?.

[ZandeKongo]

Doped up and still got smashed by Serena. 😂

[Thatmauiwowie]

Honest mistake bro?any type of enhancements is a cheater for me

[bassfishingwiththeantichri]

She has a wonderful sense of entitlement

[nadiafulitva]

she doesn't repent cheating; she repents getting caught

[murraysmither]

The mistake was far from honest, she is now acting like she had no notice....when she herself in her initial press conference that she accepted responsibility. That she had received an email and didn't open it - that was her excuse. The ITF found not only did she not included the drug on her entry forms into tournaments to the last 2 years, no one on her team knew she was taking the drug. She was also taking the drug without medical supervision, the doctor she initially got the drug from never prescribed the drug for her to take on going and hadn't seen her since 2006.

[IndoAussie]

getting older .. she getting look much better ... Like red wine! Adore Maria

[awolplaymaker]

Bruv i dont care about none of the drama i love her no matter what #heal&ReturnStronger

[DanielCruz-wrwd]

Love this young lady's spirit, always been one of her best qualities. Wish her all the best in her comeback, I'm sure getting to compete again alone is the biggest win for her already anyway so just enjoy it! <3

[paco]

Can't wait for the come back #queen

[bartman]

whatever happens Maria you're still my number one favorite tennis player and I love you so much as a die-hard.. we waiting for your return..