The president of the Russian Tennis Federation said on Thursday that former world no. 1 Maria Sharapova may never play tennis again after testing positive for meldonium prior to the Australian Open in January.
According to BBC Sport, Shamil Tarpishchev told R-Sport news agency that he believes it is “very doubtful” Sharapova will play future tournaments, adding that she is in a “bad situation”.
Tarpishchev’s latest comments signal a noticeable departure from his staunch defense of Sharapova back in March, when she first announced the positive test in an unexpected press conference many thought would be a retirement announcement.
“I think this is just a load of nonsense,” Shamil Tarpishchev told the Tass news agency in March. “I think Sharapova will play at the Olympics.”