By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday April 16, 2025
When it comes to doping in tennis, Serena Williams has thoughts. The 23-time major champion aired them out in an interview with Time Magazine, which was published this week. In it the American icon hinted that the powers that be may have been a bit too harsh on Maria Sharapova back in the day.
The Russian was given a two-year ban for her usage of meldonium, with the ban later reduced to 15 months. It effectively put an end to her career. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner was given a relative slap on the wrist for his doping violation, which amounts to three months and zero Grand Slams missed.
The Italian, who was given a three-month suspension that allows him to return in early May for the Rome Masters, has proven his innocence. That’s not the point. The point is that not all athletes are being treated equally, says Williams.
“I love the guy, I love this game. He’s great for the sport,” Williams told Time.
Williams herself never tested positive for a banned substance. She says if she had tested positive the punishment likely would have been severe.
“I’ve been put down so much, I don’t want to bring anyone down,” she said of Sinner. “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.”
Williams says the situation makes her think of Sharapova, and how, in her opinion, her rival deserved better.
“Just weirdly and oddly, I can't help but think about Maria all this time,” she said. “I can't help but feel for her.”
It’s a rare moment of sympathy for Sharapova from Williams, who ruthlessly kept her down on the tennis court, winning the pair’s last 19 contests and finishing with a 20-2 lifetime record against Sharapova.