Maria Sharapova 'determined to fight back' after failed drugs test
Tennis star Maria Sharapova has said she is "determined to fight back" against what she says is misreporting as she denies missing five warnings about a meldonium drug ban.
The Russian tested positive for it following her quarter-final defeat to Serena Williams at this year's Australian Open.
The International Tennis Federation and WTA had alerted players five times in December to the banned list for 2016.
During a press conference last Monday, Sharapova only mentioned failing to click on a link on an email linking to the documents on December 22.
The International Tennis Federation and WTA had alerted players five times in December to the banned list for 2016.
In a post on Facebook, the 28-year-old insisted the other missed opportunities were not ones she could necessarily have been expected to take.
She also posted a picture of a "wallet card" detailing banned substances which had "thousands of words on it".
Sharapova, who knew the drug as mildronate, also addressed comments from the manufacturer that it was only designed to be taken in courses of between four and six weeks.
That has been cited by some as suspicious given the Russian said she had been taking it, as prescribed by her doctor, for 10 years.
Sharapova said she had only used it intermittently, in line with the manufacturer's guidelines.
"I didn't take the medicine every day. I took it the way my doctor recommended I take it and I took it in the low doses recommended."
The player will have the opportunity to put her case forward at a preliminary hearing later this month before an independent tribunal hears the case and decides on possible sanctions.
"I'm proud of how I have played the game. I have been honest and up front. I won't pretend to be injured so I can hide the truth about my testing", Sharapova said.
"I look forward to the ITF hearing at which time they will receive my detailed medical records. I hope I will be allowed to play again. But no matter what, I want you, my fans, to know the truth and have the facts", she added.