Key facts
- Serena Williams described the tennis anti-doping system as "grueling," "unprofessional," and "unreasonable."
- Williams stated that missing a test outside of an allocated window counts as a missed test.
- The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) clarified that missing a test outside the allocated hour does not count as a strike.
- Three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period can lead to a charge under anti-doping rules.
- Williams is returning to professional tennis at Wimbledon after a break.
Serena Williams has voiced strong criticism of the tennis anti-doping system, describing it as "grueling," "unprofessional," and "unreasonable" ahead of her return to Wimbledon. The 44-year-old tennis icon, a mother of two, expressed frustration with the whereabouts rules, particularly the stipulation that missing a test outside of an allocated hour still counts as a strike. Williams stated that this rule made her hesitant to return to the sport, citing her busy life managing a company, a VC firm, and her children.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) responded to Williams' comments, clarifying that the whereabouts rules have remained consistent for several years. The agency explained that while missing a test outside the designated hour does not count as a strike, accumulating three "whereabouts failures" within a 12-month period can lead to a charge. The ITIA emphasized that the system is designed to protect players and welcomed direct conversations with athletes or their agents who have questions.
Williams, who has previously spoken about the frequency of anti-doping tests, indicated her willingness to comply but found the routine and learning new rules challenging. She noted that reporting her whereabouts for 24 hours in advance is a significant adjustment. The controversy comes as the anti-doping protocol is under scrutiny, following the recent four-year suspension of 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova for refusing an anti-doping test. Jenson Brooksby also received an 18-month suspension in 2023 for three whereabouts failures within a year.