WATCH: MORE BREAKING NEWS
The WTA has offered a “heartfelt apology” after a statement on their website from Peng Shuai has been deleted following the admission that the Russian player failed a doping test during the Open’s Indian Wells second round.
A tearful Peng told reporters on Monday she was innocent.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said, standing beside WTA president Steve Simon and head of the ITF, Steve Simon.
Peng was immediately slapped with a provisional suspension by the ATP for failing to provide a sample during the event and has missed at least a quarter of this year’s Grand Slam season and several tournaments before and after.
“We remain deeply concerned about this situation, having already sent multiple emails to both players to request their cooperation, and to make clear to them the seriousness of their potential sanctions if found guilty of violating the WTA’s anti-doping policy,” the WTA said in a statement on Monday.
“The WTA has worked with the ITF to ensure that any potential breach of doping rules will be addressed as a matter of urgency.”
If found guilty, Peng could face up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine in the U.S. state of California, where the tournament was held.