World No 1 Serena Williams thinks Maria Sharapova showed "a lot of courage" in taking full responsibility for her failed drug test.
Williams, a 21-time Grand Slam winner, says she was "shocked" by the news but that she is now hoping for the best for the Russian.
Sharapova has revealed that she tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open earlier this year, having not been aware it had become a banned substance on January 1.
The five-time Grand Slam champion has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federaton and could be facing a long ban.
And Williams, who is in New York to play Caroline Wozniacki in an exhibition at Madison Square Garden, has offered Sharapova her support.
"I think most people are surprised and shocked by Maria," said Williams.
"But, at the same time, I think most people were happy that she was up front 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.
"It's just taking responsibility, which she admitted she was willing to do, and I just hope for the best for everyone in that situation.
"To be perfectly honest, I think in sport and in life there's always a double standard, always.
"However this is a different thing and I think, as Maria said, she's ready to take full responsibility and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart.
"She's always shown courage and heart in everything that she's done and this is no different."