Serena Williams comeback: Seven-time Wimbledon champion says doping protocols almost put her off making return
Every active player is subject to out-of-competition testing.
But those in the testing pool – which is largely comprised of the top 100 singles, doubles and wheelchair players as well as returning athletes – must let the testers know where they will be for one hour of every single day.
A player who misses three out of competition tests during that hour in a 12-month period is likely to be sanctioned.
American player Jenson Brooksby was banned for 18 months in 2023 for missing three tests, although his suspension was later reduced to 13 months by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Williams claimed there are “new rules” in place which meant she could be punished if she cannot be contacted outside of that hour – but that was incorrect.
“It’s unprofessional. I hate it. I think it’s necessary, but I think a lot of the stuff, if I want to go places outside of my window, I should be able to go without having it count as a missed test,” said Williams.
If a tester is not able to reach a player outside of their allocated hour it is not considered a strike.
The protocols around whereabouts have not changed since Williams “evolved away” from tennis in September 2024.
The ITIA says no-notice testing is a “fundamental pillar of an effective anti-doping programme”.
But a lot of players have voiced their concerns about the process, highlighting the stress which they say the system causes them.
Two-time US Open finalist Jessica Pegula said last year she knows a lot of players who “don’t sleep” because they fear missing a test, while recent French Open champion Alexander Zverev described how he was called back to his home in Monte Carlo by testers while he was driving his daughter to Nice airport.
Now Williams is also complaining her personal freedom is being taken away by the process.
She does not mind because she loves tennis but “it is just getting [back] into that routine of reporting every day”.
