The International Tennis Federation (ITF) blasted Maria Sharapova on Wednesday after she said that the governing body was attempting to make an example of her during her doping ban.

The 29-year-old Russian superstar, who had a two-year suspension slashed to 15 months on Tuesday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), also said the ITF exhibited a lack of neutrality in the dispute.

In an interview with the US broadcaster PBS, the world's highest-earning sportswoman was asked whether, as a former world No 1 and five-time major winner, the ITF was trying to make an example of her.