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Maria Sharapova, the world’s richest female athlete, has admitted to taking a banned substance. On Monday, the Russian tennis star and the world’s richest female athlete held a press conference in Los Angeles to discuss her folly.

Sharapova, 28, gathered press together to make the announcement in which some thought she was set to retire from the game. She turned heads by admitting to using the drug meldonium. She tested positive for the substance back in January of this year after losing to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Sharapova, who has not played a match since due to injury, was candid about her use of the drug.

The No.7-ranked women’s singles player in the world claimed that she took the drug, which is a heart medicine that increases blood flow for a variety of health issues, back in 2006. While she didn’t clarify how long she used the drug, her recent revelation would suggest she had been using on and off during her career.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed Sharapova’s positive test, and the International Tennis Federation just added meldonium to the banned list at the top of the year. But the drug’s manufacturer,  Latvian company Grindeks, told the Associated Press that four to six weeks is a normal time span for the use of the substance. Meldonium was added to the ITF’s list as it boosts oxygen and endurance.

Sharapova, who will be suspended this coming Saturday, could face up to a two-year ban for using the substance. She also lost several huge endorsements, including Nike, who says it will suspend their relationship with her as the ITF continues its investigation.

Watch and fashion brand TAG Heuer, who was recently in talks with Sharapova to renew a recently ended contract, cut all ties while Porsche is taking a similar wait-and-see approach as Nike but has postponed planned activities.

Sharapova is a five-time grand slam champion and her singles win total places her third behind Serena and Venus Williams.

Watch Maria Sharapova’s press conference in the clip below.

[h/t NYT]

Photo: screen cap