Rafael Nadal Comments on Maria Sharapova After Positive Drug Test

Rafael Nadal believes Maria Sharapova should be "punished" following her announcement she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open.

Per BBC Sport, the Spaniard said Sharapova should be sanctioned as an example to others: "It is difficult to imagine that something like this can happen, but mistakes happen. She should be punished. I want to believe it is a mistake for Maria. She didn't want to do it. But obviously it is negligence. She must pay for it."

Sharapova potentially faces a four-year ban for failing the test.

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The Russian has divided fans and fellow pros alike after revealing she had tested positive for meldonium—which became a prohibited substance on Jan. 1 this year. She said she had taken the drug medicinally for the last 10 years due to a magnesium deficiency and a history of diabetes in her family.

Rival Serena Williams hailed Sharapova's courage in accepting responsibility for her mistake. "As Maria said, she's ready to take full responsibility, and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart," Williams said, according to Reuters (h/t the Daily Mail).

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also came out in support of Sharapova following the announcement:

However, Navratilova later said she is sceptical of the reasons given by Sharapova for taking the drug:

The Mail on Sunday's Oliver Holt was surprised at the level of support she received in the wake of the revelation:

Two-time Australian Open champion Jennifer Capriati did not take kindly to the announcement and believes meldonium should have been banned much sooner due to the enhancements it can make to performance:

Nadal further reaffirmed that he was clean and explained why he believes it's so important to be wary of the use of illicit substances:

"

I am a completely clean guy. I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong. I believe in the sport and the values of the sport. The sport is an example for society. It is an example for the kids and if I am doing something that goes against that, I will be lying to myself, not lying to my opponents.

I have been open all my career. I never tried to hide nothing that I did. I did PRP [platelet-rich plasma therapy] and then I did stem cells.

The first time with PRP it worked fantastic and the second time it was bad. I had to stop playing tennis for seven months. With stem cells, I used it two times on my knees and it worked very well. I am not doing, never did, and never going to do something wrong.

"

The Spaniard said his doctor carefully monitors any drugs he takes: "He has been the doctor for all the Spanish players for a number of years. I would never take nothing that he doesn't know about."

Sharapova recently thanked those who supported her in a Facebook post and reiterated her desire to return to playing.

Whether she is likely to do so hinges on the length of ban she receives. Given her age—she turns 29 next month—anything longer than a year could well bring an unfortunate end to her glittering career.