(Reuters) – Maria Sharapova still faces a hearing after testing positive for meldonium, despite the World Anti-Doping Agency issuing fresh rules for athletes who tested positive for the banned substance before March 1, the International Tennis Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Five-times grand slam tennis champion Sharapova tested positive for the drug at this year’s Australian Open after it was added to WADA’s list of banned substances in January.<\/p>\n
WADA said in a notice on Wednesday that athletes who tested positive for meldonium before March 1 could have bans overturned as the agency was unable to establish how quickly the drug cleared the human body.<\/p>\n
But the change in policy will have no bearing on Sharapova’s case, the world tennis governing body said.<\/p>\n
“In light of the recent notice from WADA regarding the process for dealing with cases involving meldonium, the ITF can confirm that the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme case involving Maria Sharapova will proceed to a hearing in accordance with WADA’s recommendations,” the ITF said in a statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“The ITF does not intend to make any further statement until completion of this process due to the confidentiality of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.”<\/p>\n