MARIA Sharapova has had her doping ban reduced from two years to 15 months following an appeal. 

The Court of Arbitration of Sport announced on Tuesday that the five-time Grand Slam winner would be free to return to competitive tennis from 26 April 2017.

The Russian was initially suspended after testing positive for meldonium at the Australian Open earlier this year.

"I am counting the days until I can return," she said.

"In so many ways, I feel like something I love was taken away from me and it will feel really good to have it back. Tennis is my passion and I have missed it."