Serena Williams: “I Would Have Been Banned For 20 Years” If I Failed Drug Tests Like Sinner

by News Editor

April 17, 2025

Serena Williams, one of tennis’s most iconic figures, has claimed she would have been handed a 20-year ban and stripped of her Grand Slam titles had she failed drug tests like Jannik Sinner did last year. Serena Williams, who retired in 2022 with 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, has long been one of tennis’s most dominant players.

Sinner, the world number one in men’s tennis, accepted a three-month ban earlier this year after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged an independent tribunal’s ruling clearing him of wrongdoing despite testing positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid. The Italian player maintains his innocence, but the case sparked questions about possible preferential treatment from the authorities. His suspension will be lifted on May 4, 2025.

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In the interview, Williams expressed admiration for Sinner, describing him as a talented player who is “great for the sport.” However, she also highlighted the double standards that seem to exist in tennis, pointing out that had she been in Sinner’s position, the consequences would have been far more severe.

“I love the guy, 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,” Williams stated. “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.”

Her comments bring attention to the perceived inconsistencies in the way drug testing and bans are applied in tennis. While Sinner’s suspension remains relatively short, high-profile cases such as Iga Świątek’s one-month ban in November for testing positive for trimetazidine and Simona Halep’s controversial four-year ban for roxadustat use (which was reduced to nine months following an appeal) have ignited further debate.

Williams also shared that she always took extra precautions to ensure she didn’t unknowingly ingest anything that could potentially cause trouble, reflecting the heightened vigilance required by athletes to avoid the risk of unintentional doping violations.

As the sport continues to confront doping issues, questions around consistency and fairness in the application of sanctions remain key talking points.

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Paphos Wins Two Awards For Long-Term Tourism Strategy

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 23, 2026

The Paphos regional tourism board, Etap Paphos, said on Tuesday that its “Paphos – Unleash Your Senses” campaign has secured two industry awards, underscoring the region’s long-term effort to strengthen its position as an international tourism destination.

Recognition For Strategy, Not Just Promotion

The campaign won gold at the Cyprus Tourism Awards 2025 in the Strategy & Innovation – Timeless Presence category and bronze at the Marketing Achievements Awards 2025 in Integrated Marketing.

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Etap Paphos said the honours reflect more than a successful promotional initiative. They also validate a broader collaborative model developed over the past seven years to support the region’s tourism growth.

A Public-private Model Built Over Seven Years

The strategy was designed around a shared long-term vision, bringing together public institutions and private-sector partners under a single destination marketing framework.

According to the board, it was the first organised effort in Cyprus to successfully align public authorities and private businesses behind one unified tourism strategy. That model, it said, has since become a reference point for how coordinated action can improve a destination’s competitiveness in international markets.

Partnership At The Core Of The Campaign

The success of the campaign was credited to the contributions of a broad network of partners and stakeholders, including the Paphos Regional Board of Tourism, the Cyprus Hotel Association’s Paphos district branch, Hermes Airports, Eurobank, participating hotels and other supporting organisations.

Special recognition was also given to AZTECH, the agency responsible for the campaign’s strategic planning and execution. The board said the agency’s expertise has been central to expanding and reinforcing Paphos’s international presence.

Why The Awards Matter

“These distinctions carry deep significance as they celebrate more than just a successful advertising campaign,” the tourism board said. It added that the awards highlight the value of sustained cooperation and shared objectives over short-term promotional activity.

The recognition comes as Paphos continues working to position itself as a year-round, modern, sustainable and smart tourism destination.

“Elevating the profile of Paphos as a year-round highly modern, sustainable and smart travel destination remains an ongoing effort that relies entirely on the continued commitment and contribution of all partners,” the board said.

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