ATP/WTA: ITF reveals figures: How often the tennis stars are asked for doping control

Doping tests are part of every professional athlete’s life – including the tennis stars of the ATP and WTA Tour. Now the ITF announced how often Federer and Co. to carry out such checks.

In order to avoid scanadale like the Sharapova doping story, the top stars of the tennis scene are regularly asked for doping controls. The fact that they also make up a large part of the list was illustrated by the example of the ex number-one in the women’s world ranking. For two years, the five-time Grand Slam winner had to watch Meldonium because of taking the forbidden substance.

In order to ensure that the competition runs under fair conditions, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) controls the values of tennis players several times a year. The ITF has now revealed the figures for how often such tests actually take place. The athletes are not only checked at competitions and tournaments, but also have to prepare for examinations outside the stadiums.

According to the ITF, superstar Roger Federer was asked 14 times to take part in doping competitions last year in 2017. Seven investigations took place during tournaments, the rest were carried out outside the events.

Federer’s permanent rival Rafael Nadal, who also had to take part in 14 doping tests, also took part in the same number of doping tests. The accusations against the Spaniard that he would take up forbidden subdancing can be swept off the table. The Spaniard never had a positive test. Of course, not only the absolute top stars are controlled.

Juan Martín del Potro, Andy Murray and Co. are prominent examples and these figures have also been published and are in line with the top-ranked figures. For example, Novak Djokovic, who had already finished his season last year in July, had to take a doping test more than 13 times.

Doping sinner Sharapova, of course, also had to be tested and competed ten times for control. At Serena Williams, the number of tests is significantly lower. This is mainly due to the fact that the 23-times Grand Slam winner announced her pregnancy in February and thus only lasted for about a month. Despite this, Williams was asked about three times for doping control; her sister Venus took part in tests more than ten times.