Maria Sharapova was contrite in admitting that she failed a drug test, but not everyone has stood with her in the aftermath of the bombshell admission.
The Russian tennis star announced on Mar. 7 that she failed a test given by the International Tennis Federation for Mildronate, which is also known as Meldonium, which she has been taking since 2006, but was recently added to the banned substance list.
Sharapova admitted to receiving the updated list of banned substances from the World Anti-Doping Agency, but noted she didn't fully go over it. Though she was remorseful when making her announcement, the scandal has cost her endorsement deals with Nike, Porsche and TAG.
You can now add the United Nations to the list of groups distancing themselves from the athlete. Sharapova worked with the U.N.'s Developmental Program, but their on-going partnership has been suspended.
"In light of Ms. Sharapova's recent announcement, we last week suspended her role as a Goodwill Ambassador and any planned activities while the investigation continues," the U.N. released in a statement, according to TMZ.
Sharapova has worked with the UNDP since 2007 and it was heavily involved with her charity, but in light of the scandal, the group is distancing itself. The UNDP also added in the statement that it "remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery."
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who fell to Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January, was forthcoming about the failed test after learning about it.
"I received a letter from the ITF a few days ago," she said via MarketWatch.com earlier this month at a press conference. "I will be working with them. I take great responsibility in my job every day and I made a huge mistake and I let my fans down and let the sport down that I've been playing since age 4 and that I love so deeply."
Despite her apologies, groups and companies continue to cut ties with her in the wake of the eye-opening incident. Many people believed her Mar. 7 press conference would be to announce her retirement, so the news was certainly startling.
Regardless of the diversity she faces after her mistake, Sharapova remains thankful for her fans:
Thank you note to my dear fans: https://t.co/SjIluGD2o7
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) March 9, 2016
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