SERENA RUBS IT IN: Serena Williams smartly rakes up Jannik Sinner soft dope ban

Jannik Sinner’s return to tennis after a soft ban, where he had thrashed out a deal with WADA (World Ant-Doping Agency) has begun with practice sessions featuring Matteo Berretinni as his hitting partner. The date of his three-month band ending coincided with Carlos Alcaraz winning the title at the Monte Carlo Masters on April 13.

The earliest, Sinner plans to compete is next month, at the Italian Open. He is allowed to now practice and has chosen a strong partner to scrape off the rust. A three-month break ‘was planned’ and many players have offered comments on how Sinner got special treatment.

Notably, what the diva of tennis, Serena Williams, said recently has made headlines. In her own sweet way, Serena has made her point diplomatically. She says she is a fan of Sinner and would like to see him return. Then comes the acidic quote: “Men’s tennis needs him. But if I did that, I would have got 20 years (ban). Let’s be honest, I would have gotten Grand Slams taken away from me,” said Serena, who has been voted by TIME magazine as one of the top 100 influencers.

For Serena to open up on what she did during her time as a player is good. At best, she took Advil, an over the counter drug during her playing days for muscle cramps and fatigue, including period. And that, too, was after informing the authorities. He sarcastic comments on how performance enhancing drugs would have “landed her in jail” may be stretching it too much. But today she has every reason to speak on the topic.

And when Serena talks of how Maria Sharpova, who also failed a dope ban had to end her career, she spoke emotionally. “Just weirdly and oddly, I can’t help but think about Maria all the time. I can’t help but feel for her,” said Serena. Sharapova had been banned for testing positive for Meldonium. She accepted guilt in 2016, even though it came to light she had been taken that medicine for more than five years. The same WADA had written an email to her, which was initially missed by her team. Once news broke out, Sharapova, who had already completed a career Grand Slam, collapsed. She knew her career was over and fighting her way back was impossible. The only decision she was left with was to retire and fade away.

Old timers have not forgotten, but what Serena has raked up is relevant. If the WADA had the same yardstick, then Jannik Sinner also need to have spent much more time away from tennis. Whether Clostebol, the substance he tested for by default or design, there was no excuse. This happened in March 2024, where the ITIA (an independent testing and integrity unit) informed the public much later about Sinner flunking two dope tests. The results which Sinner produced in 2024 were phenomenal, two Grand Slam titles, winning the season-ending ATP Tour finals and playing a lead role in Italy’s Davis Cup win.

People knew WADA would take up the Sinner case, but to do a deal which has left so many angry is injustice. Even the usually reticent Novak Djokovic has said, special treatment to some players following positive dope tests is not good. Sample this, Sinner was allowed to play the Australian Open and then the three-month ban. It was almost like a script had been enacted.

Sinner has been out for three months and the clay season should see him prepare for more assaults. The way it has panned out, Alcaraz has hit top gear but is still sceptical about his form. He has spoken of how the pressure had mounted on him, when Sinner was away. Indeed, for future reference, what Serena Williams has said makes for great reference. A woman who was so celebrated and won 23 Grand Slam titles feared the anti-doping mechanism.

If only the same fear is there in every tennis player’s head, fans will not witness one more charade like Jannik Sinner. So, what, if he plays well to win Grand Slams, the dope cheat tag will hang around his neck. Forever.