2 weeks Ago By Antonio Sepe, Last Word On Sports
Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension is almost over. The world No. 1 is set to return to action this May at the Italian Open and is already back on the practice courts in Monte Carlo.
However, the controversy surrounding his case continues to spark debate. It was Serena Williams who reignited the conversation in a recent interview with Time Magazine , and her comments quickly went viral. On one hand, she praised Sinner’s talent and his importance to men’s tennis; on the other, she strongly criticized the way the case was handled–igniting heated discussion among fans and raising broader concerns about fairness and consistency in professional sport.
Serena: “If I Did That, I’d Have Lost Grand Slams” In her interview, Serena Williams was candid. While she expressed admiration for Sinner, she didn’t hold back in pointing out what she sees as a double standard: “I love the guy, I love this game. He’s great for the sport.
But if I did that, I would have gotten 20 years. Let’s be honest. I would have had Grand Slams taken away from me.
” Her words highlighted long-standing frustrations over how disciplinary actions can vary drastically depending on an athlete’s status, gender, or history. A Subtle Reference to Sharapova Williams also mentioned former rival Maria Sharapova –who was suspended for 15 months in 2016 after testing positive for a banned substance–as an emotional comparison: “Just weirdly and oddly, I can’t help but think about Maria all this time. I can’t help but feel for her.
” Sharapova was banned after testing positive for Meldonium, a drug she said she had been using for years and didn’t realize had been added to the banned list. The reference adds emotional weight to Serena’s remarks and draws attention to how similar cases can result in very different outcomes. Of course, the two situations are very different: Sinner did not intentionally use Clostebol, while Sharapova claimed she was unaware of the rule change.
Still, both athletes proclaimed their innocence–and both have become central figures in the ongoing conversation about equality and accountability in sport. Pellegrini Criticizes “Special Treatment” Serena Williams was actually not the first athlete to comment the Clostebol case and how it was handled. Italian Olympic swimmer Federica Pellegrini had already voiced her concerns earlier in an interview with La Repubblica , stating: “Sinner was treated differently from 99% of other athletes.
Jannik is much loved and therefore defended in every aspect. But..
. it becomes my responsibility if a physio uses a cream and I test positive. That applies to everyone.
” This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission..
