Serena Williams Weighs in on Jannik Sinner Suspension from Tennis in New Interview

Photo credit: Simon Bruty/US Open/USTA

Serena Williams is a big fan of Jannik Sinner’s game.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion is also perplexed by a double standard in some doping cases.

Former world No. 1 Serena said while she loves Sinner and his game, she’s convinced if she had ever failed a drug test she would have received a much harsher sentence than the three-month suspension the top-ranked Itallian is serving.

“I love the guy, I love this game. He’s great for the sport,” Williams told Time Magazine.

“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.”

Serena Williams wonders what Maria Sharapova is thinking amid Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension. “Just weirdly and oddly, I can’t help but think about Maria all this time. I can’t help but feel for her” https://t.co/9fdeRrBSp1

— TIME (@TIME) April 16, 2025

Reflecting on the varied punishments rendered in recent doping cases, Serena said Sinner’s three-month suspension has made her think about rival Maria Sharapova, who was hit with a two-year ban. Sharapova successfully appealed and received a 15-month suspension, however it was essentially a career-ender as she never again regained the heights that she showed winning the career Grand Slam.

“Just weirdly and oddly, I can’t help but think about Maria all this time,” Serena said. “I can’t help but feel for her.”

Four-time Olympic gold-medal champion Williams dominated Sharapova posting a 20-2 record against her fellow former world No. 1.

Though the pair had an acrimonious rivalry, including Sharapova writing in her memoir that she saw Williams break down in tears in the locker room after the 17-year-old Russian dethroned Serena in the Wimbledon final, they have settled their tennis differences have been on good terms in recent years.