Bollettieri: Sharapova drug test is 'a game changer'

Former world number one tennis player Maria Sharapova has revealed she failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.

Nick Bollettieri, who is a former coach of the five-time Grand Slam tennis champion, said he was surprised by the news and believes she made an honest mistake.

The Russian, 28, tested positive for meldonium, a substance she has been taking since 2006 for health issues.

"It’s a game changer for life dear, not just for tennis," Bollettieri told presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said the five-time Grand Slam champion would be provisionally suspended from 12 March.

(Picture: Maria Sharapova. Credit: EPA)