Serena Williams praises rival for ‘admitting guilt’

Serena Williams has praised Maria Sharapova’s “courage” after the Russian announced she had failed a drugs test for meldonium.

Williams and Sharapova have endured a testy relationship at the top of the sport, but the world number one said she believed her rival has done the right thing to make a public admission of guilt.

She said: “I think most people were surprised, but most people were happy that she was up front.”

Williams refused to comment on how she felt knowing Sharapova had been taking meldonium – which was only banned in January this year but has never been ratified for use in the United States – since 2006.

Williams added that she did not believe Sharapova’s ban, which could effectively bring an end to her career, will adversely affect the top of the women’s game.

Former world number one and two-time grand slam finalist Caroline Wozniacki stressed the importance of checking substances after Sharapova insisted she had missed an email declaring meldonium was now on the banned list.

“Any time we take any medicines we double and triple check,” said Wozniacki.

While Sharapova is facing a ban of up to four years, former UK Sport anti-doping chief Michele Verroken says the 28-year-old Russian could receive some leniency if she can prove she needed to take the drug for medical purposes.

Verroken said: “Now the challenge facing Maria Sharapova and her team is to bring forward the diagnostic evidence that she has a condition that required the prescription of this treatment.

“But if she can actually prove that she may get some leniency from the disciplinary panel.”