Williams Voices Displeasure Over Sinner’s Doping Ban

Serena Williams, a tennis icon, has voiced her strong feelings regarding the three-month suspension imposed on Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner for doping. Williams considers the penalty lenient, implying that she would have encountered much stiffer repercussions if she were in a similar situation.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion was commenting on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) verdict. Sinner was handed a short suspension after testing positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, on two occasions in March 2024. The judgment was made following an understanding reached by all involved parties.

In an interview with Time, the retired Williams expressed her admiration for Sinner, stating, “I appreciate him, and his style of play. He elevates the sport. Having faced numerous setbacks myself, my intention is not to undermine anyone. Men’s tennis benefits from his participation.”

She added, “However, if I had engaged in similar conduct, the consequences would have been far greater, possibly a 20-year ban. Frankly, I would have been stripped of Grand Slam titles.”

Williams has been a long-standing advocate against perceived double standards in tennis. In 2018, she voiced concerns about facing what she saw as unfair “discrimination” concerning the frequency and rigor of her drug tests compared to other players.

Sinner, who clinched the Australian Open title in January, accepted the three-month suspension in February. Initially, WADA advocated for a two-year ban and took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had previously exonerated Sinner of any culpability or negligence the previous year.

The World No. 1 is scheduled to make his return to the court at the Italian Open on May 7, leading up to the French Open, which commences on May 25.