American 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 number one Jannik Sinner did last year.
Sinner accepted a three-month ban in February following an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, which challenged an independent tribunal’s decision to clear him 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, I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me.”
Reuters has contacted Sinner’s team and WADA for comment.
Reigning Australian Open and US Open champion Sinner, whose ban will end on May 4, has always maintained his innocence though his case raised questions about whether he had received preferential treatment from the authorities.
Iga Swiatek’s case also caused some surprise with the women’s world number two accepting a one-month suspension in November after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine.
Former world number one Simona Halep was also banned despite denying knowingly taking the banned drug roxadustat and her four-year suspension was cut to nine months in 2024 after an appeal at sport’s highest court.
Williams also said she took extra care with what she put into her body during her career in case she ingested something that got her in trouble.
Serena says she would have received 20-year ban if she failed drug tests like Sinner
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Serena says she would have received 20-year ban if she failed drug tests like Sinner
- Former world number one Simona Halep was also banned despite denying knowingly taking the banned drug roxadustat
Sharjah Warriorz edge MI Emirates by 6 runs to seal first win of ILT20 season
- A composed 77 from Johnson Charles, backed up by a decisive all-round contribution from stand-in captain Sikander Raza, proved the difference
ABU DHABI: Sharjah Warriorz claimed their first victory of International League T20 Season 4 after edging MI Emirates by 6 runs in a tense encounter at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
A composed 77 from Johnson Charles, backed up by a decisive all-round contribution from stand-in captain Sikander Raza, proved the difference as the Warriorz successfully defended a target of 175.
Charles anchored the Warriorz innings with a measured knock off 53 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes as his side posted 174 for 3.
MI Emirates looked on course in the chase after a strong start, but timely breakthroughs in the middle overs swung momentum back towards the Warriorz, rendering Nicholas Pooran’s late assault in vain.
Chasing 175, MI Emirates were given early impetus by openers Jonny Bairstow and Muhammad Waseem. The pair raced to a 50 partnership inside the powerplay, taking their side to 54 without loss after six overs, with Waseem particularly aggressive against Maheesh Theekshana.
The turning point came in the middle overs as Raza struck twice to halt the chase.
He removed Bairstow in the eighth over before dismissing Waseem two overs later, triggering a collapse that saw MI Emirates lose wickets at regular intervals.
Matheesha Pathirana accounted for Tom Banton, before Junaid Siddique struck twice in the 15th over to remove Kieron Pollard and Romario Shepherd, leaving MI Emirates under mounting pressure. Despite Pooran’s valiant 48 off 35 balls, including three sixes in the final over, Siddique held his nerve to concede only 18 runs and seal a narrow victory.
Earlier, Charles set the tone after a cautious start, breaking free with a 17-run third over. Alongside Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who contributed 30, the opener ensured the Warriorz reached 48 without loss in the powerplay before accelerating through the middle overs.
Charles brought up his half-century in the 10th over as the opening pair added 112 runs, laying a strong platform. Although both fell in quick succession, Raza ensured the innings maintained momentum with 29 off 22 balls, while James Rew added a brisk 24. The Warriorz closed on 174 for 3, with Zahoor Khan bowling a tight final over.
MI Emirates skipper Pollard said: “It was a good wicket and 175 was a fair total, so I have no complaints about the score they posted. It was a game we should have finished. We’ve been the slowest side in overs seven to 15, and while this loss is disappointing, it’s not all negative. We lost by six runs, the result didn’t go our way, but we did fight back.”
Sharjah Warriorz stand-in captain Raza said that he was pleased with the clarity and courage his side showed in their innings.
“The feedback was that it was a slow surface, so trying to push for 195 and ending up with 160 could have hurt us. When the team wins, everything feels better, and in a crunch game like this, I’m glad we crossed the line,” he added.
