Porsche distances itself from Sharapova
Porsche has joined other sponsors to abandon tennis star Maria Sharapova in the wake of her drug scandal.
Sharapova, aged 28, has been described as the best-paid female athlete in the world, earning more off the tennis court than on it.
Among her biggest sponsors were Porsche, Nike and TAG Heuer, all of whom have cut ties with the Russian-born athlete after she failed a drugs test.
Nike has said it was putting its relationship with the five-times Grand Slam winner on hold, and was 'saddened and surprised' by her conduct.
Porsche suspended promotional work with her, while watchmaker TAG Geuer said it would not be renewing Sharapova's contract.
The Daily Mail reported Sharapova could now become the biggest financial lower in sporting history, missing out on an estimated future earnings of as much as NZ$210million.
Sharapova also has deals with Evian, American Express, tennis equipment maker Head and jewellers Tiffany & Co, who last night had yet to respond. Cosmetics company Avon declined to comment.
But they are all understood to be preparing a response to Sharapova’s shock announcement on Monday night that she made a ‘huge mistake’ after lawfully taking meldonium for ten years for claimed health reasons – but continuing to do so after it was added to a list of banned substances in January.