SERENA WILLIAMS reckons she would’ve been “banned for 20 years” and stripped of her titles if she’d failed a drugs test like Jannik Sinner.
The world number one is nearing the end of a three-month ban after returning two positive tests for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid.
Sinner, 23, reached an agreement with the World Doping Agency (WADA) after claiming he had been inadvertently contaminated while being massaged by a member of his team.
WADA accepted the Australian and US Open champion “did not intend to cheat”, with the result due to “negligence of his entourage.”
But Williams, who won 23 grand slam titles before retiring in 2022, feels Sinner has been treated leniently.
She reckons the Italian is key to the success of the current men’s game.
And Williams adds she would have been suspended for two decades had she tested positive for banned substance in her prime.
Williams told Time Magazine: “Fantastic personality. I love the guy, I love this game. 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.
“If I did that (tested positive for doping), I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have gotten grand slams taken away from me.”
Since leaving tennis, Williams has built up a business empire worth £260million.
She had already raked in £72m from prize money in tennis.
And she now has multiple incomes from a variety of industries ranging from sports teams to cosmetics thanks to her venture capital fund.
Serena Ventures has invested in no less than 85 companies, with one worth £2billion.
While Williams is also a minority shareholder in £4.7bn NFL side the Miami Dolphins.
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