Serena Williams believes she would have received a 20-year ban and been stripped of her titles if she had a similar doping violation to Jannik Sinner.
Jannik Sinner, currently ranked number one in the world, is nearing the end of a three-month suspension. He tested positive twice for clostebol, an anabolic steroid that is prohibited.
Sinner, 23, reached an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). He claimed the positive test was due to unintentional contamination during a massage by a team member.
WADA accepted Sinner`s explanation that he “did not intend to cheat” and attributed the result to “negligence of his entourage.”
However, Williams, who retired in 2022 after winning 23 Grand Slam titles, feels Sinner`s punishment is too lenient.
She considers the Italian player crucial for the popularity of men`s tennis today.
Williams stated to Time Magazine: “He has a fantastic personality. I like him, and I love tennis. He is important for the sport.”
She continued, “I have faced so much criticism myself, and I don`t want to criticize anyone else. Men`s tennis needs him.”
“If it was me in his situation, I would have been banned for 20 years, honestly. And my Grand Slam titles would have been taken away.”
Since retiring from professional tennis, Williams has developed a successful business portfolio worth £260 million.
Prior to this, she earned £72 million in tennis prize money.
Through her venture capital firm, she now generates income from diverse sectors, including sports teams and cosmetics.
Serena Ventures has invested in 85 companies, one of which is valued at £2 billion.
Williams also holds a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins NFL team, valued at £4.7 billion.
