Serena Williams expressed surprise over Jannik Sinner’s three-month tennis ban after settling with Wada, joking that she would have faced a harsher punishment for a similar situation. Sinner, the world No 1, had two positive tests last year for steroid clostebol but was cleared of wrongdoing, attributing contamination to a massage. The leniency of the ban was questioned by figures in the sport, including Novak Djokovic.
Williams also reflected on Maria Sharapova's doping case, noting the contrasting outcomes. Sinner is scheduled to return at the Italian Open in May after his suspension. The incident draws comparisons to Iga Swiatek's one-month ban for testing positive for trimetazidine, a banned heart drug.