Maria Sharapova returns to tennis court for first time since drugs ban

John McEnroe (L) and tennis players Maria Sharapova embrace after their match at the World TeamTennis Smash Hits charity tennis  in Las Vegas, Nevada (Picture: Getty)

Maria Sharapova set foot on a tennis court for the first time since her positive drug test at a charity event in Las Vegas on Monday.

The Russian was all smiles in the World Team Tennis Smash Hits event, her first since the Australian Open in January.

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Sharapova, who last week earned a reduction in her drug ban that will allow her to return to tennis in April, played in two light-hearted doubles matches in the event at Caesar’s Palace to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

What is Meldonium?

It is used medically to treat ischemia, or a lack of blood flow.

It can be used as a metabolic enhancer to increase endurance through greater blood flow.

The Institute of Biochemistry – Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne said of the drug: ‘Anti-ischemic drug Mildronate demonstrates an increase in endurance performance of athletes, improved rehabilitation after exercise, protection against stress, and enhanced activations of central nervous system (CNS) functions.’

It was added to WADA banned list on January 1, 2016.

The drug was added to the banned list because the World Doping Anti-Agency said there ‘evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.’

She lost her doubles match with American youngster Taylor Johnson when they faced Martina Navratilova and Liezel Huber.

The 29-year-old indicated that she had felt a hint of nerves along with her 16-year-old doubles partner Johnson.

‘It was a big occasion for her (Johnson) and also for me,’ Sharapova told ESPN.

‘I haven’t been on a court for a while, for both of us, it was to __have some fun and a bit of laughs.’

Sharapova and Taylor Johnson react after scoring a point during the World TeamTennis Smash Hits charity tennis event (Picture: Getty Images)

Sharapova starred alongside the likes of Mark Philippoussis and John McEnroe (Picture: Getty)

Sharapova had not played since testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open in January.

Her initial 24-month ban was reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last Tuesday, a ruling which has divided opinion among her peers.