Tennis can cope with Sharapova loss Konta

Johanna Konta admits Maria Sharapova will be missed while she serves a two-year ban for failing a drugs test, but believes the depth in women’s tennis will ensure the sport’s profile isn’t damaged too greatly.

Sharapova was banned by the International Tennis Federation on Wednesday, after testing positive for meldonium at January’s Australian Open.

The Russian is planning to challenge the suspension, which has been backdated to January 26, 2016.

World number 18 Konta, who was knocked out of the Nottingham Open in the second round, is confident tennis will recover from the setback.

“I get tested very regularly and that’s really all I can comment on, is how often I’m tested. I’m sure the rest of the players I compete against it’s exactly the same. I do think it’s very thorough. I think it’s important to maintain the integrity of the sport.

“I honestly haven’t got anything to say about that. Just because it’s not my position to have an opinion on the battle that she’s having right now. I do think she’s dealing with it with dignity and, yeah good luck to her and I’d like to think that women’s tennis is very strong in depth.

“Although I’m sure she’ll be missed for however long she’s out. I do think there is a lot of good tennis to still be watched and to still be played.”