Serena Williams, the world's reigning No. 1 women's singles player, expressed her amazement at the news while graciously praising Sharapova for taking full responsibility for her actions, the New York Times reports.

Sharapova admitted to failing a drug test via her use of a formally legal substance and claims she did not know that the substance was forbidden.

We have all been watching and listening to updates on the Lance Armstrong saga.  Before the interview was conducted and before it even airs, Lance…