MARKETA Vondrousova has launched a scathing attack on tennis anti-doping officials after her latest tests.
The 2023 Wimbledon champion has not played in months after retiring injured against Karolina Muchova in the Tokyo first round in October.
Injury has curtailed the Czech’s year, but the anti-doping tests do not stop.
The 26-year-old took to Instagram story to explain how officials had invaded her privacy during a recent visit which came outside of a pre-arranged window.
She said: “Every day, we are required to be home for one specific hour for doping control. I respect that rule – every single day.
“Tonight, however, a tester arrived at 8:15 pm and told me that my declared time doesn’t matter and that I must be tested right now.
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“When I pointed out that it’s outside my testing window and a serious intrusion into my privacy, I was told: ‘This is the life of a professional athlete.’”
Vondrousova continued: “Is it normal for doping officers to sit in our living rooms at night waiting for us to pee?
“This is not about avoiding testing – it’s about respect. Respect for the rules that we follow, and for the personal life that we’re entitled to after a long day of training and competition.
“Rules should apply to everyone, even to those enforcing them.”
Several tennis stars have voiced their displeasure at the anti-doping testing practices in the past couple of years and a few have incurred bans for not adhering to the strict rules.
According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), out-of-competition testing can occur at any time.
While testers supposedly aim to avoid unnecessary intrusion, they are not liable for disruptions. Private lives seemingly do not supersede the tests.
Players who are not available in their designated one-hour window risk falling foul of the ‘three strikes’ rule.
Three failures within a period of 12 months are considered an anti-doping violation equivalent to a positive test that can result in bans from anywhere between one and four years.
Both Mikael Ymer and Jenson Brooksby returned to action this year after running into trouble for these exact reasons.
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