Serena Williams praises Maria Sharapova for taking responsibility after failed drug test

New Delhi: Top-ranked tennis player Serena Williams on Tuesday praised Maria Sharapova for showing courage to come forward about failed drug test.

Williams said, like others, she too was surprised and shell-shocked after Sharapova revealed about the failed drug test. But the American was happy that Russian tennis ace was upfront in admitting all this.

“As Maria (Sharapova) said that she takes full responsibility, it showed courage and heart. I think she has always showed courage in every thing she has done and this is no different.”

Sharapova, the highest-paid woman in sports on Monday revealed that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open due to a substance she has been taking for 10 years for health issues.

The 28-year-old Sharapova, a five-time grand slam champion, will be provisionally suspended starting March 12, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said.

She tested positive for meldonium, which is used to treat diabetes and low magnesium, and was only banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency as of Jan. 1.

"I made a huge mistake. I let my fans down and I let the sport down," said Sharapova, a teenage tennis prodigy who became the third-youngest Wimbledon champion. "I take full responsibility for it."