World number two Andy Murray has stated that Maria Sharapova should face a ban from the game over her failed drugs test in January.
Sharapova was found to have had Meldonium in her system at the Australian Open. The failed test happened after her loss to Serena Williams in the quarter-finals.
The drug was only added to WADA's prohibited list in January. Sharapova has claimed she used the drug to help with medical issues since 2006.
Murray was speaking in Indian Wells ahead of the BNP Paribas Open where he competes this week. The Scottish star lost in the semi-finals of the tournament last year and has only reached the final once.
“If you’re taking a prescription drug and you’re not using it for what that drug was meant for, then you don’t need it, so you’re just using it for the performance-enhancing benefits that drug is giving you. And I don’t think that that’s right.”
The 28-year-old was surprised by Sharapova's revelations that she used the drug to help with heart issues. "I read that 55 athletes have failed tests for that substance since January 1st. You just don’t expect high-level athletes at the top of many sports to have heart conditions."
Sharapova will be provisionally banned from March 12th.
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