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Serena lauds Sharapova for owning up to failed drug test

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a forehand return to Serena Williams of the United States during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. The five-time major champion says she failed a doping test at the Australian Open in January for the little-known drug, which became a banned substance under the WADA code this year. The former world No. 1 took full responsibility for her mistake when she made the announcement at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a forehand return to Serena Williams of the United States during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. The five-time major champion says she failed a doping test at the Australian Open in January for the little-known drug, which became a banned substance under the WADA code this year. The former world No. 1 took full responsibility for her mistake when she made the announcement at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File) FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, Maria Sharapova of Russia plays a forehand return to Serena Williams of the United States during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. The five-time major champion says she failed a doping test at the Australian Open in January for the little-known drug, which became a banned substance under the WADA code this year. The former world No. 1 took full responsibility for her mistake when she made the announcement at a news conference Monday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Serena Williams says Maria Sharapova “showed a lot of courage” in taking responsibility for her failed drug test.

The 21-time major champion said Tuesday she “hoped for the best” for Sharapova, a day after the Russian star revealed she failed a test the day she lost to Williams at the Australian Open in January.

Sharapova said she tested positive for the little-known drug meldonium, which became a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency code this year. The five-time Grand Slam champ could face a long ban from the International Tennis Federation, possibly ending her season and preventing her from competing at the Olympics.

Williams plays good friend Caroline Wozniacki on Tuesday night in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden.