Maria Sharapova will look for a reduction in her potential ban for failing a drug test at the Australian Open, according to her lawyer.

"We are attempting to have a conversation with the] ITF up front because we think there are [a] laundry list of extremely mitigating circumstances that, once taken into consideration, would result in dramatically reducing any sanction that they might want to impose on Maria," her lawyer, John Haggerty, [told SI.com.

Sharapova announced on Monday that she had tested positive for meldonium, a drug for blood flow and heart problems that became prohibited at the beginning of the year. She said she was prescribed the drug, and others, by a doctor in 2006 for health reasons, and had been unaware that it was no longer permitted.

A hearing before an independent tribunal will decide the length of Sharapova's suspension. The drug is defined as a metabolic modulator in the anti-doping code, which carries a ban of four years. However, it can be reduced to two years if the player shows it was not taken intentionally.

A reduction down to a year is possible if the player shows no significant fault or negligence. There would be no penalty only if it was shown that there was no fault or negligence, which is extremely unusual.

Article 10.6 of the tennis anti-doping rules also allows for further reductions if a player assists the process, including prompt admission of a doping violation upon notification. Such reductions cannot bring it down to more than a quarter of the original suspension.

There is also a provision for the International Tennis Federation, which runs the anti-doping program, to provide a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). It is not apparent whether this was, or would be, sought by Sharapova.

Her lawyer reiterated that the drug had been prescribed for medical problems such as "abnormal EKG readings," "diabetes indicators" and "low magnesium," and the drug "eliminated or reduced some of the medical conditions she was dealing with."

He also indicated that there had been ongoing use.

"She took it on a regular basis, as recommended by her doctor,” he said.

However, he would not discuss where the drug was prescribed or obtained. It is not approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

"I’m not at liberty to talk about that because of the ITF process and the confidentiality involved about sharing her medical information," he said.

In an interview with *The New York Times*, he added that Sharapova was "completely unaware there was any performance-enhancing capabilities."

The drug was previously a monitored substance, and became prohibited after studies showed it could enhance athletic performance. It was present in a significant number of athlete samples—182 of 8,230 samples internationally, and 724 of 4,316 Russian samples.

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There have been several positive tests for the substance since it became prohibited. Those who were found to have meldonium in their system include Russian cyclist Eduard Vorganov; Russian ice dancer Ekaterina Bobrova; Ukraine biathletes Olga Abramova and Artem Tyshchenko; Ethiopian runner Endeshaw Negesse; and Swedish runner Abeba Aregawi.

Meanwhile, some of Sharapova's biggest sponsors are stopping or suspending their association with the world's top-earning female athlete, who is estimated to bring in $23 million off the court.

Nike said it would "suspend its relationship" with Sharapova, while Porsche stated it would "postpone" its promotional plans until further details were released.

Tag Heuer, who said its contract with Sharapova was only up to the beginning of this year, has decided "not to renew the contract."

Sharapova will be provisionally suspended until a hearing.