Serena Williams: Maria Sharapova showed courage in drug confession

Serena Williams says Maria Sharapova showed “courage” in her failed drug test confession Monday.

Serena Williams says Maria Sharapova showed “courage” in confessing Monday that she failed a drug test, Reuters reports.

“As Maria said, she’s ready to take full responsibility and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart,” Williams told reporters before her Tuesday night match against Caroline Wozniacki in New York.

Sharapova announced Monday that she failed a drug test on Jan. 26, while competing at the Australian Open. Sharapova eventually fell to Williams in the tournament’s quarterfinal.

She was later informed by the International Tennis Federation that she tested positive for Meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances on Jan. 1. Sharapova said she had legally been taking the drug for 10 years.

• WERTHEIM: Sharapova’s lawyer on failed test

The ITF announced that Sharapova, 28, will be provisionally suspended beginning on March 12.

Sharapova is the winner of five Grand Slam singles titles in her career, which is the third most among active players behind Williams and her sister Venus.

• In Melbourne, Serena Williams is perfect against Maria Sharapova

Williams has defeated Sharapova in 18 straight meetings.