Serena Williams says she would have received 20-year ban if she failed drug tests like Jannik Sinner

Serena Williams attends the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Apr 17, 2025, 01:04 PM

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NEW YORK – American tennis great Serena Williams said she would have been banned for 20 years and stripped of her Grand Slam titles, had she failed drug tests like men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner did in 2024.

Sinner accepted a mere three-month ban in February following an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), which challenged an independent tribunal’s decision to clear the Italian of wrongdoing after two positive tests for the anabolic agent clostebol.

“I love the guy, love this game,” Williams, who retired in 2022 after winning 23 Grand Slam trophies, told Time Magazine.

“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.

“(But) if I did that (fail a drug test), I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me.”