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Tennis star Maria Sharapova has admitted to failing a test for a diabetes drug, that so far has only been trialled on animals.
Sharapova has been taking meldonium for 10 years, in order to help her pet dog control its blood-sugar levels.
“It seems cruel that, just because I’m a tennis player, my dog should have to suffer from me not taking this drug,” insisted Sharapova.
Sharapova has owned her pet for nearly seven years, but started taking the drug before it was born ‘just to be on the safe side’.
The shitsu, which actually lives with a neighbour a few blocks away, doesn’t have any signs of diabetes – proof that Sharapova has helped treat the animal, according to her coach.
Also known as mildronate, meldonium also enhances the performance of athletes.
“But I don’t think that’s relevant,” said Sharapova, “because my dog is quite lazy”.
Meldonium was banned in January this year, and it’s thought other veterinary drugs could now be under scrutiny.
A suspicion that was only enhanced yesterday, when Andy Murray was seen wiping his bottom along a hall carpet.
