WTA's former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova has revealed that she has received a letter from the World Anti-Doping Agency informing her that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January.

The Russian tennis ace said that she received the letter from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Wednesday, March 2. Sharapova claims that she has not yet found out what the penalty will be. The failed drug test was confirmed by the ITF. The federation said that the popular tennis player would be provisionally suspended until the case is finalized.

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"I take great responsibility and professionalism in my career every day. I made a huge mistake," Sharapova said. "I let my fans down. I let my sport down."

Sharapova, 28, revealed at a press conference that she tested positive for a substance called "mildronate." The Nyagan-born tennis star admitted that she had been taking the substance for the past the last 10 years for health issues.

Mildronate is also known as meldonium, a blood flow-promoting drug, which is used to treat diabetes and low magnesium. It was added to the prohibited list this year because it was found out that the drug aids oxygen uptake and endurance.

The famous tennis player said that she did not know that mildronate and meldonium are the same and was unaware of the changes in the rules when the drug was listed illegal on January 1^st. Although WADA had sent emails to athletes in December regarding the changes, Sharapova said that she did not click on the link showing that the said drug had been listed as a banned substance.

"I know with this that I face consequences," Sharapova said. "I don't want to end my career this way, and I really hope I'm given another chance to play this game."

Sharapova is currently No. 7 in the world rankings. She has 35 career singles titles under her name and has career earnings of over $36 million.

TagsMaria Sharapova, wta, ITF