Tennis star, Maria Sharapova may not play again after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium, the president of the Russian Tennis Federation reportedly said.

Shamil Tarpishchev said that, Sharapova’s situation was “bad” and it is “very doubtful” that she will resume her career. Shocking everyone, the president later has backtracked on his comments, saying, “I only said that she can’t play now because no ruling on her case has been issued.”

Sharapova remains provisionally suspended from the competition pending a ruling from the ITF, and is expected to receive a ban of up to 4 years, if the tests are found to be positive.

Reportedly, she is supposed to attend an ITF anti-doping hearing in London on Wednesday, but skipped to talk to the waiting media, by landing at an undisclosed location. There has been no subsequent comment by the ITF.

It is known that, Sharapova claimed to have been taking meldonium on a doctor’s orders for 10 years, unknowing that, the substance was banned.

Sharapova, who has lost a number of her lucrative sponsorship deals, said at the time that she hoped she would be allowed to play again.

By Phani Ch