Sharapova still faces hearing despite WADA's new stance on meldonium

Former world number one Maria Sharapova will have to face hearing for failing drug test in January despite the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced fresh rules for athletes who tested positive for the banned substance before March 1.

Sharapova was provisionally suspended from the sport last month after revealing that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year's Australian Open.

Earlier, WADA had suggested that athletes who were tested positive for meldonium before March 1 could have their bans overturned as the agency was unable to detect the span of time that the drug takes to get cleared from the human body, stuff.co.nz reported.

But now, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed that the change in policy would not have any bearing on the Russian tennis star's case and that she would have to face a hearing into her Tennis Anti-Doping Programme case.

The ITF, however, refused to provide any further information until the completion of the process.

The 2012 Olympic silver medallist said that she had been taking the drug since 2006 legally for years for health reasons.

Meldonium was placed on the banned list by the WADA this year.

Sharapova's major sponsors Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche have all distanced themselves from her since her announcement.