Stronger After Scandal
People|August 21,2017

In a New Memoir the tennis star chronicles her rise to fame, her devastating 2016 suspension—and how she’s coming back fighting.

Patrick Gomez
Stronger After Scandal

five-time Grand Slamwinner and 2012 Olym-pic silver medalist,Maria Sharapova waspoised for success at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio when her dreams of gold disappeared. In early 2016 she tested positive for meldonium (also called Mildronate), a supplement she’d taken for years that had just been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances list, and the tennis pro was suspended from her sport for 15 months. “It’s probably the toughest thing an athlete can go through,” says Sharapova, 30. But now she’s back: On July 31 she won her first U.S. tournament in almost two years. Her comeback hasn’t been completely smooth. There are still some who think she used meldonium to enhance her performance (see box), and she was sidelined by an arm injury after her recent win. But the Russian-born athlete is used to rising above adversity. “I don’t know a lot of strong people who have had an easy past,” she says. In an excerpt from her new memoir Unstoppable, Sharapova looks back on her rise and the routine drug test that threatened to tarnish it all. “I peed in a cup,” she says, “as I’ve done for years.” Weeks later she received the e-mail that would change her life.

As I read it, I started to panic. That urine test? I failed it.

Mildronate is a supplement I’d been taking for ten years. It had been recommended to me by a family doctor when I’d been run down and had several abnormal EKGs. I took the pill before intense physical exertion, as you might take baby aspirin to ward off a heart attack. In Russia, millions take it every day, including my grandmother!

This story is from the August 21,2017 edition of People.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 21,2017 edition of People.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLEView All
Charles Spencer's Boarding School Nightmare
People US

Charles Spencer's Boarding School Nightmare

IN A HEARTBREAKING NEW MEMOIR, THE HISTORIAN AND BROTHER OF PRINCESS DIANA REVEALS THE SECRET ABUSE HE SUFFERED BEGINNING AT AGE 8

time-read
7 mins  |
March 25, 2024
DIVING-ACCIDENT SURVIVOR MARK RAYMOND JR.'Being a Quadriplegic Is My Superpower'
People US

DIVING-ACCIDENT SURVIVOR MARK RAYMOND JR.'Being a Quadriplegic Is My Superpower'

AFTER LOSING THE ABILITY TO WALK, THIS ACTIVIST DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2024
AYESHA CURRY & LINDSAY LOHAN FRIENDSHIP, BABIES & DOUBLE DATES
People US

AYESHA CURRY & LINDSAY LOHAN FRIENDSHIP, BABIES & DOUBLE DATES

THE IRISH WISH COSTARS ARE BFFS, AND CURRY IS GODMOTHER TO LOHAN'S LITTLE BOY. THEY TALK ABOUT MOTHERHOOD AND THEIR NEW MOVIE

time-read
3 mins  |
March 25, 2024
MARK WAHLBERG IS FEELING BLESSED
People US

MARK WAHLBERG IS FEELING BLESSED

AT 52, THE ARTHUR THE KING ACTOR IS CHOOSIER ABOUT HIS PROJECTS, AFFORDING HIM MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY AT THEIR NEW HOME IN NEVADA

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2024
Sexual Abuse & Exploitation THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS' TV
People US

Sexual Abuse & Exploitation THE DARK SIDE OF KIDS' TV

NICKELODEON SHOWS LOOKED LIKE FUN. FOR CHILD ACTORS, THEY WERE HARD WORK OR WORSE

time-read
2 mins  |
March 25, 2024
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE & JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER LIVING WITH MS 'We Are Helping Each Other Through This'
People US

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE & JAMIE-LYNN SIGLER LIVING WITH MS 'We Are Helping Each Other Through This'

AFTER LEARNING SHE HAD MS IN 2021, APPLEGATE TURNED TO SIGLER, WHO HAS LIVED WITH THE CHRONIC DISEASE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. THE ACTRESSES OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR POWERFUL FRIENDSHIP AND THEIR RAW AND REAL NEW PODCAST Messy

time-read
6 mins  |
March 25, 2024
ROBERT DOWNEY JR.' This Is What I was Born to Do'
People US

ROBERT DOWNEY JR.' This Is What I was Born to Do'

THE OPPENHEIMER STAR REFLECTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO OSCAR GOLD AND SHARES HOW FAMILY HAS CHANGED HIS LIFE

time-read
5 mins  |
March 25, 2024
PEACOCK Apples Never Fall
People US

PEACOCK Apples Never Fall

Annette Bening is at the core of a seductive mystery

time-read
1 min  |
March 25, 2024
WHY I CARE Kaia Gerber Kicks Off Make March Matter at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
People US

WHY I CARE Kaia Gerber Kicks Off Make March Matter at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

‘I’ve seen [their] care for patients’ minds, bodies and souls,’ says the model-actress

time-read
1 min  |
March 25, 2024
Kacey Musgraves Talks New Music & Knowing Herself 'Better' Than Ever
People US

Kacey Musgraves Talks New Music & Knowing Herself 'Better' Than Ever

The Grammy winner, 35, channeled the sounds on her latest album, Deeper Well (out now), into a new candle collaboration of the same name for the brand Boy Smells.

time-read
1 min  |
March 25, 2024