Johannesburg: German car manufacturers Porsche has joined the chorus of sponsors to sever ties with Maria Sharapova after the Russian tennis star admitted that she failed a drug test at this year’s Australian Open.
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who has been provisionally suspended from the sport by the International Tennis Federation, revealed that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
Porsche said in statement that they regret the news about Maria Sharapova, adding that they have decided to suspend planned activities with the Russian until more details are known, Sport24 reported.
Following Sharapova’s revelations, Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and US sportswear maker Nike decided to distance themselves from the former world number one earlier in the day.
She said that she had been taking the drug since 2006 legally for years for health reasons.
Meldonium was placed on the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency from this year. (ANI)