Maria Sharapova verdict to be given in October read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/836-maria-sharapova-verdict-to-be-given-in-october

The Russian, 29, who said she had been taking the drug since 2006 for health problems, appealed against the ban.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport it would deliver an appeal verdict on the two-year doping ban for Maria Sharapova in early October.

Sharapova openly admitted she had been taking it for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency.

She also claimed it had entirely escaped her attention that the product had been added to the banned substance list.

Sharapova, 29, tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January’s Australian Open. In a severe blow to her reputation, the infringement was revealed in March.

The five-time Grand Slam winner was banned by the International Tennis Federation after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

Meldonium became a banned substance on 1 January 2016.

The original ruling had been expected by July 18, with Sharapova hoping a successful appeal would allow her to spearhead the Russian tennis team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Delays have been caused by both parties carefully preparing defenses of their position as Sharapova seeks a reduction of the Tribunal’s decision to sanction her with a two-year period.

Age 17, Sharapova burst onto the tennis scene by winning the Wimbledon title in 2004. She added to her grand slam collection with the US Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008 and the French Open in 2012 and 2014.