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

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.

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.

YC Summer 2025 Demo Day: Redefining AI Infrastructure And Innovation

Y Combinator’s Summer 2025 Demo Day showcased over 160 startups, with the spotlight firmly on AI innovations. A marked evolution in the tech landscape is emerging as companies shift from offering merely “AI-powered” products to building sophisticated AI agents and the underlying tools that enable their development. This trend is visible in a surge of voice AI applications and new ventures focused on monetizing the expanding AI economy through advertising and marketing solutions.

Investor Insights: Leading The Next Wave Of AI Innovation

In discussions with YC-focused investors, several startups stood out for their visionary approaches and substantial investment interest. Below is an analytical breakdown of these high-potential companies:

Autumn: The Stripe For AI Startups

Autumn tackles the complexity of AI pricing models by providing an open-source infrastructure that streamlines Stripe integration. With a mix of flat subscription fees and usage-based charges typical in AI transactions, Autumn’s solution has already been adopted by hundreds of AI applications and 40 YC startups. This innovation could well position it as the next major breakthrough in fintech as the AI market accelerates.

Dedalus Labs: Automating AI Agent Deployment

Similarly to how Vercel redefined app deployment, Dedalus Labs is simplifying the creation of AI agents. Their platform automates infrastructure tasks such as autoscaling and load balancing, converting hours of coding into a series of clicks. This streamlined process is set to empower developers and accelerate the rollout of advanced AI agents.

Design Arena: Crowdsourcing Quality In AI-Generated Designs

AI’s ability to generate vast numbers of design variations creates the challenge of distinguishing quality. Design Arena addresses this by crowdsourcing the evaluation of AI-generated visuals. The resulting continuous feedback loop not only refines the design process but has also attracted interest from major AI labs aiming to enhance their model outputs.

Getasap Asia: Revolutionizing Tech-Enabled Distribution

Founded by Raghav Arora at the young age of 14, Getasap Asia leverages technology to streamline supply distribution to retailers, restaurants, and supermarkets across Southeast Asia. With swift delivery times and impressive revenue growth, the startup has attracted significant investment — including backing from General Catalyst — and boasts one of the highest valuations in the batch.

Keystone: AI-Driven Bug Fixing

At the forefront of software reliability, Keystone enlists AI to locate and resolve production bugs. Founded by Pablo Hansen, a 20-year-old prodigy with a master’s in AI, the company has already gained traction with clients such as Lovable and notably declined a seven-figure acquisition offer, underscoring its potential for long-term growth.

RealRoots: Redefining Social Connectivity With AI

RealRoots diverges from the crowded dating app landscape by tapping into the social needs beyond romance. Its AI matchmaker, Lisa, facilitates the creation of meaningful platonic connections among women. The startup’s innovative approach has generated significant revenue, underscoring the demand for solutions that address modern loneliness in non-dating contexts.

Solva: Streamlining Insurance Claims Through Automation

Solva is harnessing the power of AI to automate the mechanical tasks associated with insurance claims processing. By ensuring accurate and efficient claim submissions and payout processes, the company has impressively achieved $245,000 in annual recurring revenue within just ten weeks of launching, sparking keen investor interest.

Perseus Defense: Cost-Effective Solutions For Drone Countermeasures

In an era where low-cost drones pose emerging security challenges, Perseus Defense is developing counter-drone mini-missiles that offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional systems. With invitations from multiple U.S. military branches to demonstrate its technology, the startup is well-positioned to secure strategic defense contracts.

Pingo AI: Enhancing Language Learning With Authentic Conversation

Pingo AI reimagines language learning by enabling users to practice with an AI acting as a native speaker. Addressing a gap left by traditional apps that focus on vocabulary and grammar, Pingo AI’s conversational approach is driving impressive monthly growth and revenue, signaling its potential to become a leader in the edtech space.

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