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| Sharapova during a media section |
Maria Sharapova has been banned from professional tennis for two years after she admitted to breaking anti-doping rules.
The 29-year-old's suspension has been backdated to 26 January this year, which was when she provided a urine sample containing meldonium shortly after a quarter-final match at the Australian Open.
In a statement on Facebook, the Russian athlete described the suspension as "unfairly harsh", and vowed to immediately appeal the tribunal's decision at a court of arbitration.
Meldonium, which is commonly used to treat heart and angina problems, was added to the list of banned substances for players in 2016 - but Sharapova maintained she had been unaware the rules had changed.
The drug increases blood flow in the body and allows more oxygen to be carried to the muscles, improving exercise capacity.
Sharapova has said she was taking meldonium for "several health issues" - including signs of diabetes and magnesium deficiency.
The International Tennis Federation decided to backdate the suspension because she promptly admitted the anti-doping violation.
Her results in 2016 Australian Open have been disqualified, and the governing body said Sharapova will forfeit the ranking points and prize money she won during that tournament.
According to Sharapova, the ITF had recommended a four-year suspension - but that punishment was thrown out after the three-person panel "unanimously concluded that what I did was not intentional".
She added: "I have missed playing tennis and I have missed my amazing fans, who are the best and most loyal fans in the world.
"I have read your letters. I have read your social media posts and your love and support has gotten me through these tough days.
"I intend to stand for what I believe is right and that's why I will fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible."
The five-time Grand Slam champion had been provisionally suspended from the sport in early March.
As a result, several sponsors cut ties with Sharapova - ending lucrative endorsement deals.
One of them was Nike, which suspended a commercial relationship with the tennis star worth tens of millions of pounds.
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