An International Tennis Federation (ITF) Independent Tribunal handed her a back-dated ban yesterday which is not due to expire until January 26, 2018, shortly before her 31st birthday.

Sharapova has already vowed to appeal the verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

It was ruled that she was the "sole author" of her misfortune and bore "sole responsibility for the contravention, and very significant fault".

In laborious detail, the Tribunal dismissed Sharapova's claim that she was prescribed heart medication meldonium by her doctor for health issues dating back to 2006, including magnesium deficiency, an irregular heartbeat and a family history of diabetes. 

"The manner of its use, on match days and when undertaking intensive training, is only consistent with an intention to boost her energy levels," they ruled, including a note from her doctor advising her to take pills before key matches and training sessions.

In a conclusion which did not appear to fit easily with the wider findings, it was also written that her failure was "not intentional as Ms Sharapova did not appreciate that mildronate [meldonium] contained a substance prohibited from January 1, 2016".

Nike, in a statement released shortly after the announcement of the ban, focused on this latter point.

“The ITF Tribunal has found that Maria did not intentionally break its rules," they said.

"Maria has always made her position clear, has apologised for her mistake and is now appealing the length of the ban.

"Based on the decision of the ITF and their factual findings, we hope to see Maria back on court and will continue to partner with her.”

Head, who had continued to support her ever since she first admitted to have failed a test in March during the Australian Open in January, have continually claimed she is a “role model and woman of integrity”.

“Based upon the evidence provided by Miss Sharapova, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and by Dr Don Catlin, the chief science officer of the banned substances control group, it appears that the ITF have made their decision based upon a flawed process undertaken by WADA that clearly highlights how WADA have broken their own rules in determining whether or not meldonium should be banned," said the manufacturer’s chairman Johan Eliasch.

“We believe, based on the facts and circumstances provided to us, that is a flawed decision.

"Head will continue to support Miss Sharapova.”

Evian added: “The ITF Tribunal concluded that Maria Sharapova’s contravention was not intentional.

"Following this announcement, Evian has decided to maintain its long-lasting relationship with the champion.”

Of her other sponsors, car brand Porsche suspended their relationship with Sharapova following her failed test and will now wait for the verdict of her appeal to CAS.

Watchmaker TAG Heuer ended their partnership before the scandal broke in 2015 and have now ended any negotiations on renewing it.

Cosmetics company Avon said their relationship with Sharapova “was a limited engagement that focused on one of our fragrances", adding: "The engagement is set to expire and we had not planned to extend this relationship regardless of the current situation.”

Heart-attack drug meldonium was added to the banned list by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on January 1, who claimed there was evidence that it was being used for performance enhancing purposes.

WADA admitted in April, however, that more research was required to calculate how long the product remains in the human body.

It was ruled that if below one microgram of meldonium was detected and the failed test came before March 1, a negligence or no fault verdict could be reached.

The situation with Sharapova is complicated by the fact she has admitted to using it after it was banned.

If she had not done this, it is possible she could have received a lighter punishment, although her levels are also thought higher than the one microgram.

Sharapova, who is facing far less sympathy in the wider tennis and sporting world, has already been withdrawn from the Russian Olympic tennis squad.

Ekaterina Makarova has been called in to replace her.