NEW YORK --?Maria Sharapova, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her suspension by nine months on Tuesday, said the International Tennis Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency might have targeted her to set an example for other athletes.I dont want to think that, Sharapova said during an interview with ESPN. I hate to think that. Its not a great feeling to even consider that.Its hard not to when the Tennis Federation asks for me to be banned for four years.The CAS, in reducing the suspension from 24 to 15 months, said Sharapova and her management team held some fault for her continued use of meldonium after it was banned Jan. 1. The tribunal, however, also put focus on WADA and the ITF for failing to adequately communicate to its players that it was indeed banned.I think what it has certainly done is brought awareness that there are flaws in the system, Sharapova said.An Outside the Lines investigation this week revealed that tennis has comparatively low instances of positive drug tests -- 1 in 985 tests versus 1 in 274 in track and field and 1 in 520 in swimming -- and that 65 percent of players surveyed in an ESPN Tennis Confidential felt the sport didnt drug-test enough.The ITF issued a statement Thursday saying it did not try to ban Sharapova for four years, as has been suggested.The ITF stated clearly that it was the responsibility of the Independent Tribunal -- and subsequently the CAS Panel -- to determine what the appropriate sanction should be, the ITF statement said. This included the decision as to whether Ms. Sharapova met the requirements set out in the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme - which are the same as those in the WADA Code - for a reduction from the default four-year suspension for the use of a non-specified substance such as meldonium. The CAS Panel confirmed Ms. Sharapovas violation of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and a 15-month suspension.Sharapovas attorney responded later Thursday, saying that the ITFs claim that it didnt try to ban Sharapova for four years was patently false, citing the letter to Sharapova informing her of her positive test that noted a four year period of Ineglibility would apply.Sharapova plans to return to the court next week in Las Vegas at the World Team Tennis Smash Hits, a charity event co-hosted by?Billie Jean King and Elton John. She cannot return to sanctioned WTA events until April 2017.Sharapova said she tested positive for meldonium five times while the drug was on WADAs watch list in 2015, but she wasnt warned that she had or that it was going to be banned in 2016 because she was told such results were confidential. Thats why, she said, she was surprised that her positive drug test at the Australian Open was for meldonium.WADA and the ITF said they provided wallet cards and that the information was available in an email sent on Dec. 22, 2015, titled Main Changes to the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.Although it is thought that the drug, which is commonly available over the counter in Eastern European countries, might have performance-enhancing qualities because it is designed to open blood vessels and better serve the heart, the 29-year-old tennis star said theres zero evidence that its a performance enhancer. The drug was recommended to Sharapova after irregularities appeared on her electrocardiograms.Ivars Kalvins, the chemist who designed the drug, met with WADA in September to try to dissuade it from again putting meldonium on the list of banned substances for 2017. But when the list was published Friday, meldonium was still banned.Some of Sharapovas legacy could depend on what is ultimately found out about the drug and its ability to enhance performance.I wont treat it that way, she said. I think the one thing that Id love to see -- and if anyone could show me -- is evidence on the performance-enhancing effect that it has.Nothing, since all these cases have come out, has WADA come out with actual research. And theyve actually said they didnt do exertion research.Sharapova said she has not received much public support from her contemporaries.When you are going through such a tough period and so many ups and downs, thats not really what you are thinking about, she said. Its about when Im coming back. That wasnt something that was a focus of mine.Private support from fellow players means more to her, she said.Sharapova said that going forward, shes looking for a replacement for meldonium. Shes also looking for a doctor to be on her staff who will be the point person for everything that goes in her body and will monitor the list of banned substances. Clearance Custom Jerseys Shop . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Sale Custom Jerseys . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. http://www.customjerseyschina.com/ . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. Custom Baseball Jerseys China . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. Custom Basketball Jerseys China . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona.SALVADOR, Brazil -- Italys star midfielder Andrea Pirlo will miss the final group match against Brazil at the Confederations Cup with a strained right leg muscle, adding to coach Cesare Prandellis problems in the centre of the field. Italy team physician Enrico Castellacci says he hopes Pirlo can return for the semifinals. But combined with the absence of Daniele De Rossi, who will also miss the Brazil game becausse of two yellow cards, it means coach Cesare Prandelli will have to overhaul his lineup.dddddddddddd Italy advanced with a 4-3 win over Japan and is level with Brazil atop Group A heading into Saturdays match, which will determine the group winner. The absences mean Alberto Aquilani, who only lasted 30 minutes against Japan, could return to the lineup, as could Antonio Candreva and Alessio Cerci. ' ' '