Tennis icon Serena Williams has voiced frustration over what she sees as a glaring double standard in doping punishments within professional tennis, saying she would have faced a far harsher penalty than current mens world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Speaking to Time magazine after being named to the 2025 Time100 list of most influential people, the 23-time Grand Slam champion didnt hold back.
I love the guy, love this game, Williams said. Hes great for the sport. Ive been put down so much, I dont want to bring anyone down. Mens tennis needs him.
But if I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Lets be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me.
Sinner accepted a three-month ban in February 2025 after reaching an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA, which challenged an initial tribunal ruling that had cleared him. He tested positive twice for clostebol, an anabolic agent, but maintained that the trace amounts came from a trainer who used a cream containing the substance after cutting his finger.