Maintaining integrity in tennis: Call for fair anti-doping measures

By Gabe Jaramillo | gabejaramillo.com | Tuesday, August 27, 2024

To address the issues that affect the reputation of our sport, it is important to understand the historical context of Olympic sports and their influence on current policies and regulations.

Tennis was first included in the Olympic Games in 1896, but was removed from the competition after the 1924 Paris Games due to disputes over amateur sports, as only amateurs were allowed to compete at the time. It was not until the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul that tennis was reinstated as a regular discipline in the Summer Games.

More: Jannik Sinner tested positive for steroids

This reintroduction is significant because players were not subjected to doping tests before tennis returned to the Olympic Games.

During this time, the use of performance-enhancing drugs was not uncommon. They brought benefits such as increased muscle mass and strength, improved endurance, faster recovery, improved concentration and reduced fatigue.

While these substances can provide far-reaching benefits, their use in sport is illegal and raises serious ethical concerns. Since tennis was re-legalized, anti-doping measures have been rigorously enforced to ensure fair competition.

My participation in competitive sport dates back to the 1970s and is rooted in a family with a strong athletic background. My mother coached the Olympic swim team and swimming has always been a cornerstone of our lives. Growing up around elite athletes, we understood early on the importance of being clean during competitions. We were taught that even minor deviations – like taking an aspirin tablet – required consultation with the team doctor. This vigilance was critical given the increasing prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs and the challenge of identifying banned substances in vitamins, proteins and medications.

I share this perspective to help tennis fans better understand the complexities of the sport. By highlighting these issues, we hope to provide a clearer view of doping issues and enable more informed opinions when such situations arise.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of doping, I will discuss the different forms of doping, explain the rules on banned substances, and discuss how athletes at all levels and from a young age are fully educated about these rules.

Doping can be done in different ways: orally, by injection, with creams or gels absorbed through the skin, or by inhaling substances in the form of vapors or aerosols. Each of these methods involves introducing banned substances such as anabolic steroids, stimulants or hormones into the body to illegally increase performance. In addition, some athletes use blood doping, which involves transfusing their own blood to increase the number of red blood cells, absorb more oxygen and thus increase their endurance.

The majority of athletes who use doping agents rely on drug masking, which involves using substances or techniques to conceal the presence of banned agents in their bodies. This may include diuretics or chemicals that make agents more difficult to detect. Other methods include substituting clean urine for testing or using intravenous fluids to flush out traces of agents before a test. These tactics are used to evade detection and avoid sanctions. Often athletes are caught not because of the agents themselves, but because masking agents have been found.

Players may be randomly selected for doping tests during tournaments, either immediately after their matches or at other times while they are present at the event. Some players can provide a sample immediately, others may take hours and often have to drink heavily before they are able to do so, sometimes as late as 5:00 a.m. This process can be particularly difficult, especially for those players who regularly take longer to provide samples. The delays are problematic not only for the players, but also for the coaches and doping control staff who conduct the tests.

In addition, players are subject to testing outside of competition, including random testing at training facilities or during breaks in competition. They are responsible for informing their federations and the ITF of their training schedules, travel plans and other activities so that anti-doping authorities can conduct the appropriate testing. Even while on vacation in remote locations, players may face surprise testing by WADA, which, while necessary, can be unpleasant and invasive.

Injured tennis players who need time to recover are given a protected ranking for participation in tournaments based on their pre-injury ranking. During this recovery period, they are under the supervision of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and their national tennis associations, both of which follow the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Players with a protected ranking are required to keep these organizations informed of their activities on and off the field, as anti-doping authorities can conduct tests at any time, regardless of the player’s physical activity or location.

During the pre-competition phases at training academies, WADA officials often conduct random doping tests. They often wait patiently until the selected player is ready to provide a sample, remaining constantly vigilant. Unfortunately, these officials are often seen as an inconvenience rather than a guardian of fairness.

As a coach, I have seen situations in small tournaments and Grand Slams where both the player and our team became ill during the event due to food poisoning. While the rest of the team was able to take medication, the player had to endure significant discomfort until receiving clearance from the official doctor, reflecting the strict protocols enforced at all levels of competition.

Youth players are also subject to doping tests under the same rules as professionals. Tests can be carried out randomly both during and outside of competitions. Coaches and managers must provide education to prevent violations and ensure that parents and youth athletes are well informed about the rules.

Tennis is an individual sport in which players must take full responsibility for their actions. The existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes personal responsibility and the impact of one’s choices, is particularly relevant in this context. Players must be aware of the substances they put into their bodies, as their success and reputation are directly linked to their choices and integrity. Players are the result of their actions and inactions.

Over the years, many players, including top stars, have been suspended for positive doping tests. They may have had better arguments, such as taking vitamins that had been processed in industrial machinery that was not properly cleaned and contained residues of contamination with products banned as performance-enhancing drugs. In some other cases, players unknowingly consumed contaminated vitamins or substances that had recently been classified as illegal. Despite the players’ explanations, these violations resulted in suspensions, loss of sponsorship and often irreparable damage to their careers.

In the case of Jannik Sinner, it was reported that his physiotherapist, who was treated for a cut on his finger with a spray containing the banned steroid, applied a cream that entered his body through skin injuries.

Despite this, Sinner was investigated twice for the same offence. Anyone who knows professional athletes knows that they can be confident, egotistical and influential, often making it difficult for team members to make decisions that could negatively affect them. The committee that reviewed Sinner’s case concluded that he was not at fault, but he was still stripped of his points and prize money from Indian Wells. This decision seems inconsistent and unfair as it avoids taking a firm stance.

While Sinner admitted he was “concerned” he might be banned, he also said he was confident he would be acquitted because he believed the tiny traces of clostebol in his body supported his claim of accidental contamination.

“Of course I was worried because it was the first time for me and hopefully the last time I was in that situation,” Sinner said. “We also have to take into account another aspect, which is the amount in my body, which is 0.000000001, so a lot of zeros before a 1 comes out. I was worried, of course, because I’m always the player who is very, very cautious. I think I’m a fair player on and off the pitch.”

Ultimately, these measures underline the player’s fundamental responsibility for his or her own decisions.

Regardless of who provides the substances and how much trust is placed in the players’ support team, they must be fully aware of and comply with the anti-doping rules in order to avoid the unintentional or intentional use of prohibited substances.

We have great respect for Jannik Sinner and recognise his important role as a tennis ambassador. However, it is essential to ensure that all players are treated equally, regardless of their status. Favoritism undermines the integrity of the sport and can damage its reputation. Officials cannot remain idle on this issue.

Your voice is vital to upholding the principles of fairness and equality that define our sport. We rely on your support to keep the spirit of the game alive. Share your thoughts and help us preserve the future and the joy that makes this sport so special. Be part of the conversation – get in touch and write to us.

Renowned tennis coach Gabe Jaramillo has coached the sport for decades and is a guest writer for Tennis Now. Visit Gabe’s website at gabejaramillo.com.

Contact Tennis Now at [email protected].