Russia tennis chief still expects Sharapova to play at Rio Olympics

Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev expects Maria Sharapova to represent her country at this year’s Olympics in Brazil despite being provisionally suspended from the game after testing positive for a banned substance.

Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev expects Maria Sharapova to represent her country at this year’s Olympics in Brazil despite being provisionally suspended from the game after testing positive for a banned substance.

Maria Sharapova reacts as she watches compatriot Ekaterina Makarova play against Kiki Bertens. (Reuters Photo)

Five-times grand slam champion Sharapova said on Monday she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January because of a substance, meldonium, she was taking for health issues.

“I think this is just a load of nonsense,” Tarpishchev, president of the Russian Tennis Federation, said in an interview with the TASS news agency.

“The sportsmen take what they are given by the physiotherapists and by the doctors. I think Sharapova will play at the Olympics, however, we will need to see how this will develop.”