Tennis star Sharapova to miss Rio Olympics after postponed appeal

The Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said Monday that Russian-born Maria Sharapova's doping appeal had been deferred until September this year, meaning the former tennis world champion will miss out on the Rio Olympic Games which begin in August.

"Maria Sharapova and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have agreed to defer the CAS decision until September 2016," CAS said in statement.

"Due to the parties requiring additional time to complete and respond to their respective evidentiary submissions, and several scheduling conflicts, the parties have agreed not to expedite the appeal," it added.

An appeal was launched by the 29-year-old three days after an ITF-appointed tribunal issued a two-year suspension for violation of anti-doping rules on June 6.

In March, the five-time grand slam champion was informed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January.

Sharapova was found positive to a substance called Meldonium, also known as mildronate and used to treat various heart diseases. The substance has been banned by the WADA since Jan. 1 this year.

"In her appeal to the CAS...Ms Sharapova submits that the period of ineligibility should be eliminated, or in the alternative, reduced," the sporting body explained.

A decision is expected to be reached by Sept. 19. Endit