Jeff Tarango, the former coach of Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova, who was convicted of doping, said the athlete had heart problems which she had to take certain medications. He declared it in interview to TV channel Sky News on Tuesday, 8 March.
“The problems with heart function did not allow Sharapova to play for more than 15-20 minutes. She needed breaks,” said Tarango. “If you do not take medications that strengthen your heart, then playing at the temperature of 120 degrees (Fahrenheit, 48 degrees Celsius), you can die,” quotes his words TASS.
Earlier on Tuesday its support for Sharapova expressed first racket of the world American tennis player Serena Williams and entrepreneur Oleg Tinkov. He criticized the decision of some companies to suspend cooperation with the athlete, saying he was ready to help the Russian.
8 March, German automaker Porsche has announced the suspension of cooperation with Sharapova. So did the Swiss manufacturer TAG Heuer and the American brand of sportswear and footwear Nike.
On 7 March, the athlete at an emergency press conference in Los Angeles announced a positive doping test. Her body was found Meldonium. This information was confirmed by the international tennis Federation (ITF). Sharapova previously suspended from tournaments since March 12. The first hearing in the case of athletes is scheduled for March 23, it will be held in London.
Sports lawyer Yuri Zaitsev stated that Sharapova, openly confessed to doping, took the only right decision in this situation. According to him, the period of Ineligibility may be reduced, and the countdown will begin from the day of taking a positive doping test.
