Timeline of Maria Sharapova’s doping ban ahead of the Russian’s return to action after a 15-month suspension
2016
Jan 26 — Sharapova loses to old rival Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
March 7 — Sharapova calls press conference at a Los Angeles hotel where she reveals that after her loss in Melbourne she tested positive for meldonium, a substance placed on the WADA banned list at the start of the year.
March 8 — Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche halt their lucrative relationships with Sharapova.
March 9 — World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Dick Pound describes Sharapova’s actions as “reckless beyond description”.
March 10 — Sharapova’s racquet manufacturer Head says it will stand by the Russian.
March 12 — Sharapova insists that contrary to media reports, she had not received five separate warnings about changes to anti-doping rules. “I should have paid more attention to it. But the other ‘communications’? They were buried in newsletters, websites, or handouts,” the Russian star said. “I guess some in the media can call that a warning. I think most people would call it too hard to find.”
March 15 — United Nations suspends Sharapova as a goodwill ambassador.
March 24 — World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says 123 cases involving meldonium recorded since the endurance-boosting drug was banned on January 1.
April 13 — WADA says athletes could escape a ban for taking meldonium because it does not know for sure how long it takes the substance to leave the body.
June 7 — Sharapova earns $21.9 million over the previous 12 months, down almost $8 million from the previous year, according to Forbes Magazine.
June 8 — Banned for two years by ITF, Sharapova announces she will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Oct 4 — Ban reduced to 15 months by Court of Arbitration for Sport
2017
Jan 10 — Announces return to the Tour will be at Stuttgart on April 26 on a wildcard
Feb 8 — Madrid Open grants Sharapova wild card for their May tournament
March 1 — Rome Open also gives Russian wild card; Andy Murray criticises such decisions, claiming players should “work their way back”.
April 19 — Sharapova celebrates 30th birthday
April 22 — Sharapova drawn to face Roberta Vinci in opening match.
