23 Time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams claims she would have received a 20 year ban if she had failed a drugs test similar to that which ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner received just a three  month suspension in February 2025.

“I love the guy, love this game,” Williams, told Time magazine  after being named one of its 100 most influential people.

“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.

“(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.”

43 year old Williams retired in 2022 and joked that she took extra precautions to avoid any accidental ingestion of an illegal substance, and that a PED scandal would have landed her “in jail.”

“I miss it a lot, with all my heart. I miss it because I’m healthy,” Williams said. “If I couldn’t walk, or if I was so out of it, I wouldn’t miss it as much.”

Sinner’s  suspension ends on May 4, having twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024 and is expected to make his return to the tour at the Italian Open, in the  ATP 1000 clay-court tournament in Rome beginning on May 5.

The Italian has always maintained his innocence, claiming the drug entered his system through a massage from his trainer.

Harriet Dart the British No.4  has apologised after suggesting to the Chair Umpire  during  her first round loss, 0-6,3-6 at the Rouen Open in France to Lois Boisson, that her opponent “should wear deodorant, she smells really bad.”

The crushing defeat lasted just 28 minutes.

Dart later posted on her Instagram page : “I want to apologise for what I said on court today, it was a heat-of-the-moment comment that I truly regret.

“That’s not how I want to carry myself, and I take full responsibility. I have a lot of respect for Lois and how she competed today.

“I’ll learn from this and move forward.”

Today the French player made light of the incident and “reached out” on Her Instagram page that WTA Sponsor and  soap manufacturer Dove might be looking for a “collab”

Main photo:- Lois Boisson reaches out to WTA Sponsor Dove – © Instagram

Sefanos Tsitsipas overcame a slow start to his Monte Carlo Masters title defence with the three-time holder and defending champion forced to go the distance to secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win into the third round on Tuesday.

The Greek was tested by Australian Jordan Thompson before staging a fightback to take control and advance in his opening match of the European clay spring.

He advanced with 22 winners against 29 unforced errors in two hours. Tsitaipas recovered after his Aussie  opponent claimed the opening set with just four unforced errors.

“After the first set I tried to work around my serve,” the winner said. “There were tricky moments at the start. I had to get a hold of my serve.

“I started to feel more stabilised and tried to return well. There was not much to work with but I tried to pay without reserve.

“I hung in and tried to find something to reignite my consistency in my game. Once the serve clicked my confidence on return became better.”

Tsitsipas is trying to become the first man to win the event four times after the 11 of Rafael Nadal.

The 26-year-old owns an ATP leading 29 wins in clay events at the Masters 1000 level.

Main photo:- Stefanos Tsitsipas winning in Monte Carlo – by ATPTour.com