Novak Djokovic: 'I feel for Maria Sharapova'

World number one Novak Djokovic has said that has sympathy for Maria Sharapova after the five-time Grand Slam winner failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.

Sharapova revealed earlier this week that she had tested positive for meldonium, a drug which she had been taking for 10 years but was only added to the banned list at the start of this year.

The Russian has made "no excuses" for failing to notice the changes to the list of prohibited substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and Djokovic is hoping that she will come out of the ordeal stronger.

"I obviously wish her all the best. I've known her for a long time. I feel for her with all that's happening and I just hope she gets out of this stronger," he told TMZ.com.

Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert earlier admitted that she had been surprised by the lack of support being shown to Sharapova.