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BREAKING: Maria Sharapova Fined for Anti-Doping Violation — Tennis World Reacts Swiftly
LONDON — July 18, 2025 | 11:00 AM GMT
In a development that has shocked the tennis community, former world No. 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has been fined by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for an anti-doping violation stemming from a recent retrospective review of athlete records.
The ITIA announced on Thursday that Sharapova was found to have breached updated anti-doping regulations involving the use of a prohibited supplement during her 2015–2016 playing season. The case was reopened after advances in testing methods allowed the agency to retest archived biological samples with greater precision.
Sharapova, who officially retired from professional tennis in 2020, has been fined *\$75,000 and issued a formal public warning, though no additional suspension applies due to the time elapsed and her current non-active player status.
This is not the first time Sharapova has faced controversy over doping. In 2016, she was suspended for 15 months after testing positive for meldonium, a substance added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list that same year. She admitted to using the substance legally for years prior and claimed she was unaware of the rule change.
In a brief statement released by her team, Sharapova expressed *disappointment over the renewed scrutiny**, but accepted the decision:
> “While I firmly believe I have always competed with integrity and transparency, I respect the role of the ITIA in protecting the sport. I will not be appealing this decision, as I have moved on from professional competition.”
The ITIA emphasized that the fine was “administrative and symbolic,” intended to reinforce the principle that “no violation—past or present—goes unnoticed.”
Reaction from the tennis world has been mixed. Some fans and commentators have expressed frustration that the issue was revisited years after her retirement, while others say it’s a reminder of the importance of clean sport.
Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick tweeted:
> “No one’s above the rules, but also—this feels like reopening a closed book.”
While the penalty will not impact her legacy titles or current business ventures, the news has stirred renewed debate over doping oversight, testing fairness, and the timeline for accountability in professional sports.
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