My dope hearing panel was not neutral: Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova claims the International Tennis Federation hearing into her doping violation was "not neutral" and she is "starting to think" the sports governing body tried to make an example of her

Maria Sharapova

Lausanne: Maria Sharapova claims the International Tennis Federation hearing into her doping violation was "not neutral" and she is "starting to think" the sports governing body tried to make an example of her.

The 29-year-old former Wimbledon champion and World No.1 tested positive for the heart-boosting drug meldonium in January and was then sanctioned by the ITF in June.

But on Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced a reduction in the five-time Grand Slam winner's two-year doping ban to just 15 months.

In her first television interview since the CAS ruling, Sharapova was again critical of the ITF.

"I got a 24-month suspension, but they (ITF) wanted four years for me," Sharapova told American broadcaster PBS. I went through the ITF hearing, which was in front of an arbitration (panel), which was chosen by the ITF.

"I am at a hearing (in London) knowing the people I am speaking to were chosen by the people that I am actually in a fight with. They call that neutral? That is not neutral. CAS is neutral and this is what CAS has awarded to me."

Asked by interviewer Charlie Rose if she thought the ITF were trying to make an example of her, Sharapova replied: "I never wanted to believe that, but I am starting to think that."

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