Nike has suspended its relationship with Maria Sharapova and two other of the tennis star's endorsements have been put in jeopardy after the player admitted to failing a drug test.
Sharapova told a press conference Monday that she knows she will "face consequences" after testing positive for a little-known drug at the Australian Open in January.
Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances this year, and Sharapova said Monday she had missed the notification.
"I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down and I let the sport down," the five-time Grand Slam winner told a press conference in Los Angeles. "I take full responsibility for it."
The International Tennis Federation said Sharapova will be "provisionally suspended" with effect from March 12.
Sharapova — who once held the No. 1 ranking — has been the highest-paid woman in sports for 11 years running.
Nike said it was "saddened and surprised" by the news about Sharapova and had decided to suspend its relationship with the tennis star while the investigation continues.
"We will continue to monitor the situation," Nike said in a statement.
From: nbc news
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