The International Tennis Federation has confirmed that Maria Sharapova will be "provisionally suspended" from March 12.
The 28-year-old caused a shock earlier this evening when she announced that she had failed a drugs test at this year's Australian Open.
Sharapova claimed that she had taken the medicine (meldonium) for more than a decade before, at the start of the year - unknown to her - it was included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of performance-enhancing substances.
Following the Russian's announcement, the ITF released the following statement: "On January 26 2016, Ms Sharapova provided an anti-doping sample to the TADP in association with her participation in the 2016 Australian Open.
"That sample was analysed by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory, which returned a positive for meldonium, which is a prohibited substance under the WADA Code and, therefore also the TADP.
"In accordance with Article 8.1.1 of the TADP, Ms Sharapova was charged on March 2 with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Ms Sharapova has accepted the finding of meldonium in her sample collected on January 26.
"As Meldonium is a non-specified substance under the WADA (and, therefore, TADP) list of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods, Ms Sharapova will be provisionally suspended with effect from March 12, pending determination of the case."
Speaking to reporters, Sharapova insisted that she was determined to return to the sport, rather than retire.
Liam Apicella
