• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 30, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Serena Williams Says Jannik Sinner Doping Case Shows Tennis Double Standard

“If I did that, I would have gotten 20 years,” the tennis legend said. “Let’s be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me.” 

Serena Williams
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Tennis legend Serena Williams blasted the controversial handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case in a new interview published this week.

Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency agreed to a three-month suspension for a positive test in a deal that shocked tennis. (The International Tennis Integrity Agency, which oversees doping in the sport, wanted an even lighter punishment for the world No. 1.) The Italian will not miss a major despite testing positive for a steroid, and Williams was the latest big name in the sport to criticize the lenient punishment.

“Fantastic personality,” Williams told Time. “I love the guy. I love this game. He’s great for the sport.” 

“I’ve been put down so much, I don’t want to bring anyone down,” Williams continued. “Men’s tennis needs him. [But] if I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me.” 

Sinner tested positive for clostebol, a prohibited substance, in March 2024. Sinner’s explanation was that he was inadvertently given the substance, which the ITIA agreed with. 

Sinner said his physiotherapist was given an over-the-counter spray in Italy to treat a cut, and the spray contained the banned substance. That he was suspended at all is because WADA appealed after the ITIA’s independent tribunal accepted his excuse and reached a finding of “no fault or negligence.”

Sinner’s suspension began on Feb. 9th and extends through May 4th. 

Williams was adamant that she always applied extra care with what she consumed. “You would have heard about it in another multiverse,” and she would have been in “jail” if she tested positive.

Williams never tested positive in her career, but she regularly criticized the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s tactics while playing. In 2018, a USADA drug tester showed up at Williams’s house outside of an appointed window and refused to leave. The incident revealed that Williams was, by far, the most tested women’s player in the country, which she called “interesting.”

Williams said she was a victim of “invasive and targeted treatment” by USADA, and a year later, accused drug testers of “discrimination.”

She retired in 2022 having won 23 major women’s singles titles, 14 in women’s doubles and two in mixed doubles. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dallas Wings

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.
Candace Parker

Candace Parker Not a WNBA Owner Yet, but Her Business Is Booming

Her WNBA peers say she made the blueprint for earning off the court.
Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart’s Injury Meant Rare Presence at WNBA CBA Talks

Stewart “makes the league sit up straight,” the union director told FOS.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.

Cowboys’ Parsons Approach Shows High Cost of Delayed Contracts

Parsons will sign a four-year, $188 million deal with the Packers.
Cooper Lutkenhaus
August 28, 2025

Running Prodigy Ditches High School and College for Nike at 16

Cooper Lutkenhaus is a contender at next month’s track world championships.
August 29, 2025

Kyle Schwarber’s MVP Candidacy Could Lead to Massive Payday

The Phillies slugger makes history and could do so again this winter.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
August 28, 2025

Micah Parsons Traded to Packers, Set to Sign Record 4-Year, $188M Deal

The Cowboys reportedly offered Parsons $40.5 million per year in March.
Willie Mays
August 28, 2025

Willie Mays’s Son Tries to Block Sale of Some Memorabilia 

Michael Mays disputes that his father wanted certain items sold after he died.
Aug 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) flies out to left field in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
August 27, 2025

The Biggest Deferred Sports Contracts in Each Major Sports League

Shohei Ohtani will make $680 million after his contract ends.
Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) leaves the field following the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium
August 27, 2025

Rashee Rice Suspended Six Games to Start NFL Season in Discipline Twist

Rice will serve his NFL suspension sooner than initially assumed.