Getty ImagesSerena Williams and Maria Sharapova may be competitors on the court, but the 34-year-old champ is showing nothing but support towards Sharapova in light of her failed drug test.
Williams addressed the fellow tennis pro's shocking announcement which revealed she had failed a drug test at the Australian Open. Serena spoke about the matter during a press conference for her upcoming BNP Paribas Showdown match with pal Caroline Wozniacki on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and praised Sharapova for showing "courage and heart."
"I think most people were happy she was upfront and very honest and showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at in terms of the list at the end of the year," Williams explained.
"It's just taking responsibility, which she admitted that she was willing to do and ready to do. Just hope for the best for everybody in that situation."
Source: Serena Williams Praises Maria Sharapova for Honesty with Failed Drug Test (Video) | Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams : Just Jared | http://www.justjared.com/2016/03/08/serena-williams-praises-maria-sharapova-for-honesty-with-failed-drug-test-video/?trackback=tsmclip
Visit:Just Jared | Twitter | Facebook
She added, "As Maria said, she's ready to take full responsibility. She showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart. I think she's always shown courage and heart in everything she's done, and this is no different."
Yesterday, Sharapova held a press conference where she confessed that she tested positive during the Australia Open in January for meldonium, a recent addition to the International Tennis Federation's banned substance list.
"I wanted to let you know that, a few days ago, I received a letter from the ITF that I had failed a drug test at the Australian Open," a somber Sharapova announced after thanking those assembled for gathering on such short notice. "I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it. For the past 10 years I have been given a medicine called Mildronats by my doctor—by my family doctor—and after I got the letter from ITF I found out it also has another name, of meldonium, which I did not know."
Meldonium is not approved by the FDA but is used in Sharapova's native Russia, commonly used to treat heart disease. She has not yet been informed of any suspension or related punishment handed down by the ITF.
"As Maria said, she's ready to take full responsibility," Serena added. "She showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart. I think she's always shown courage and heart in everything she's done, and this is no different."
Source: Serena Williams Praises Maria Sharapova for Honesty with Failed Drug Test (Video) | Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams : Just Jared | http://www.justjared.com/2016/03/08/serena-williams-praises-maria-sharapova-for-honesty-with-failed-drug-test-video/?trackback=tsmclip
Visit:Just Jared | Twitter | Facebook