Maria Sharapova’s lawyer has called on WADA president Craig Reedie to apologise to the suspended tennis player.

Sharapova has been banned by the International Tennis Federation until January 26, 2018 after she tested positive for meldonium at this year’s Australian Open.

The Russian has now submitted an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a decision will be reached by July 18.

Speaking in London on Monday, in quotes reported by The Telegraph, Reedie said: “I suspect that we probably punch pretty well above our weight when it comes to the amount of work that is achieved and the successes that are achieved on a budget of less than $30m a year.

“For me the only satisfactory element in Madame Sharapova’s case was that in one year she can earn more money than the whole of WADA’s budget put together.”

John Haggerty, Sharpova’s lawyer, replied by saying the law should not take into account a player’s earnings.

“The statement made today by the WADA president is unprofessional,” he said.

“Justice, whether in the eyes of WADA or a court, must be blind, including being blind to a player’s earnings.

“Mr Reedie owes an apology to Maria and to all successful tennis players unless he wants fans to think WADA has different standards for players depending on their ranking and earnings.”