Serena Williams has expressed her belief that if she had failed a drug test like world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, she would have faced a 20-year ban from tennis.
Sinner is preparing to make his comeback at the Italian Open after serving a three-month ban for testing positive for clostebol in March 2024.
Sinner claimed that the banned substance entered his system through a massage treatment for a cut on his physio’s finger, who used an over-the-counter spray containing the steroid.
Initially, the Tennis Integrity Agency did not impose any ban on Sinner, but WADA appealed the decision and eventually reached a controversial settlement with the player in February.
In an interview with Time Magazine, Serena Williams said of Sinner: “Fantastic personality. I love the guy, I love his game. He’s great for the sport.
I’ve been put down so much, I don’t want to bring anyone down. Men’s tennis needs him.
If I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have had Grand Slams taken away from me.”
