New York, United States – Tennis legend Serena Williams has brought attention to the apparent double standards within the sport with regards to doping violations. In a recent interview with Time magazine, Williams discussed the case of men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who received a three-month ban for testing positive for Clostebol, an anabolic steroid, twice in March of last year. Williams expressed disbelief, suggesting that if she had committed a similar offense, she would have faced a 20-year suspension, along with the possibility of having her grand slam titles revoked.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency initially ruled that Sinner was not at fault for the positive tests, attributing the contamination to a physio applying an over-the-counter spray to their skin. Despite this ruling, the World Anti-Doping Agency lodged an appeal, leading to Sinner accepting a suspension from February 9 to May 4. Many within the tennis community have criticized the handling of Sinner’s case, with players like Novak Djokovic and Liam Broady questioning the length and impact of the suspension.
Williams also drew parallels to her former rival Maria Sharapova, who was handed a 15-month suspension in 2016 for testing positive for meldonium. Reflecting on the situation, Williams expressed empathy for Sharapova, highlighting the complexities and challenges of navigating anti-doping regulations in professional sports. Since retiring from competitive tennis, Williams has ventured into various business ventures, including investing in sports teams like the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Angel City FC.
While Williams acknowledges missing the sport she excelled in, she remains dedicated to her role as a mother to her two children, Olympia and Adira. Despite the temptation to return to tennis, Williams emphasizes the importance of prioritizing her family life and maintaining a healthy balance. As she continues to thrive in her post-tennis endeavors, Williams’s legacy as a trailblazer in the sport remains a significant part of her identity.