Maria Sharapova has been notified of the date of her disciplinary hearing for failing a drugs test, according to ITF President David Haggerty.
The date, which has not been disclosed to the public, could pave the way for Sharapova to play in this year’s Wimbledon Championships if she if found innocent. Speaking with the media in Switzerland, Haggerty told the Associated Press that the case is expected to take ‘two to three months’ to process with there being a possibility of a verdict in June.
The five-time Grand Slam champion is currently suspended from competition after testing positive for Meldonium during the Australian Open in January. The drug was added to the list of banned substances on January 1st this year. Sharapova has maintained her innocence throughout by saying that she didn’t read an email last year, which informed her that the drug will be banned.
The case has sparked a massive debate concerning Meldonium and the justification for banning it. Earlier this month, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that players could be reinstated if their sample was found to contain less than 1 mcg of meldonium. This exception only applies to tests taken on or before March 1st 2016. The decision came after the makers of the drug said that it could take ‘several months’ for the substance to leave a person’s body. This exception does not apply for Sharapova due to the levels detected, which is still not publicly known.
“For her, given her levels (of meldonium), it is not even a question,” WADA director general Olivier Niggli told ap.org concerning the ongoing case involving the world No.9.
Russian tennis officials are remaining optimistic that Sharapova will be able to participate in the Olympic Games this August. The chief of Russian tennis, Shamil Tarpishchev, said earlier this month that ‘he expects’ the 28-year-old to play in the event.
Details surrounding the case are still limited. Even ITF president Haggerty is unaware of when and where the hearing will take place. If Sharapova is found guilty, she could potentially face a ban of up to four years.
