Jannik Sinner is set to return to action at the upcoming Rome Masters, with his three-month suspension nearing its end. The world No. 1 was sidelined after testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024—a case that sparked widespread debate throughout the tennis world.
Now, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has weighed in, voicing her opinion on the perceived disparity in how doping cases are handled. While expressing admiration for Sinner as a player and his contribution to the sport, Williams suggested the Italian received lenient treatment, contrasting it with how she believes she would have been treated in a similar situation.
“If I had tested positive, I would’ve been banned for 20 years, and all my Major titles would’ve been stripped,” Serena said candidly. “I love Jannik—he’s great for our sport. But let’s be honest.”
Sinner tested positive for clostebol twice in early 2024. The banned substance was unintentionally transferred during a massage from his trainer, Giacomo Nalid, who had used a clostebol spray to treat a hand injury. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) ruled that Sinner bore no fault or negligence and initially allowed him to continue competing.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) later intervened, prompting renewed scrutiny of the case. Under growing pressure, Sinner accepted a three-month suspension in February 2025, opting to serve it and return in time for the European clay-court swing.
Despite missing four Masters 1000 events, the 23-year-old remains atop the ATP rankings and is preparing to defend his position in front of his home crowd in Rome. Sinner ended the 2024 season with an extraordinary 73–6 record, capped by a second straight Australian Open title in January—his third career Major.
The situation has reignited discussions around consistency and fairness in tennis’ anti-doping policies. Serena Williams is not alone in questioning the standards—Novak Djokovic also recently voiced concerns about the disparity in how top players are treated in similar situations.
While Serena made it clear she holds no ill will toward Sinner, her pointed remarks reflect a deeper concern about racial and gender biases that may influence disciplinary decisions in the sport.
“I’ve been criticized and held to a different standard throughout my entire career,” she added. “I don’t want to tear anyone down—but I’ve seen the double standards firsthand.”
As Sinner prepares for his comeback, the tennis world continues to wrestle with how best to balance fairness, accountability, and transparency in doping-related cases.
