Tennis star Maria Sharapova has drugs ban reduced by seven months

Maria Sharapova will now be back sooner. Credit: PA

Maria Sharapova has had her ban from tennis reduced from two years to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport following an appeal.

The reduction means she will be able to return to action in time for the French Open next year.

The Russian was originally banned in June after she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Sharapova posted a statement on Facebook, which saw her thank fasn for their support throughout the ban.