Nike says it will continue to partner with Maria Sharapova, despite her two-year suspension for failing a drug test.
The sportswear giant said in a statement on Wednesday: “We hope to see Maria back on court.”
Sharapova was punished by a three-person Tennis Anti-Doping Program tribunal appointed by the International Tennis Federation, which concluded she took meldonium “for the purpose of enhancing her performance.”
The Russian tested positive at the Australian Open on January 26, and said later she didn’t know the substance was newly banned.
In March, when Sharapova announced she failed a drug test, Nike said it had suspended the relationship while the investigation continues.