ARE THE RECENT DOPING SCANDALS SHEDDING LIGHT ON A DEEPER ISSUE?

Max Purcell is the latest name to be handed a ban by the ITIA. (Getty/Morgan Hancock)

Over the past two years, the tennis world has been consistently rocked by players exposed for either testing positive or being involved in some sort of prohibited behaviour regarding doping. Last year, it was Iga Świątek and Jannik Sinner in the hot seat, and recently, Aussie Max Purcell accepted a hefty suspension.

However, those cases have each been handled in diverse ways, with different implications for the players involved. The tennis crisis poses a serious issue being debated by fans, players, and coaches alike.

Does tennis have an integrity issue with how it handles doping?

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World No. 1 Sinner has just made his return to the tour at the Italian Open in Rome following three months of ineligibility after testing positive for the prohibited substance clostebol last year in March. Then, in August, an Independent Tribunal cleared Sinner of wrongdoing, accepting the Italian's explanation of the substance entering his system unintentionally through a massage by his physiotherapist at the time.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed this decision, and eventually, a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing was scheduled to be held in April. The final verdict by WADA established that a case resolution agreement was settled with Sinner, as WADA withdrew its appeal to CAS.

Now, Sinner is back on tour, and for many, conveniently right before the second Slam of the year at Roland Garros.

Świątek similarly tested positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine in August last year. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) issued a mandatory provisional suspension.

The five-time major champion and her team appealed this decision, and the ITIA accepted that the melatonin Świątek was consuming for jet lag and sleep issues, manufactured in Poland, was contaminated, and therefore, the Pole did not commit the violation intentionally.

Ultimately, Świątek served a one-month ban and was allowed to return to competition on December 4, 2024.

Both of these cases received intensive media attention globally because they are top of the tree. But more importantly, the relatively short suspension periods and decision-making process meant that the impact on the athletes' careers was kept to a minimum. With access to the best lawyers and legal teams possible, the way these cases were handled allowed both Sinner and Świątek to defend themselves and keep the consequences to a minimum.

Fellow players on both the ATP and WTA tours had choice words for the way these cases were handled, and the advantage higher-ranked and wealthier players have when it comes to handling doping allegations.

Nick Kyrgios was infuriated by the news of both cases.

"Two world number ones both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It's a horrible look," Kyrgios wrote on social media.

After the Sinner decision was publicised, Novak Djokovic stated: "A majority of the players don't feel that it's fair. A majority of the players feel like there is favouritism happening. It appears that you can almost affect the outcome if you are a top player, if you have access to the top lawyers."

US Open finalist Jessica Pegula shares similar views.

"Whether you think he did or you don't, or whatever side you're on, the process just seems to be completely not a process. It seems to just be whatever decisions and factors they take into consideration, and they just make up their own ruling," she explained.

While it seemed that the dust had settled on doping scandals within the sport, on April 29, the ITIA confirmed that Australia's Max Purcell accepted an 18-month ban under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

The ITIA stated that Purcell admitted to receiving intravenous infusions of over 500ml towards the end of 2023, while the limit is 100ml in a 12-hour period. Purcell accepted responsibility and the suspension, which will allow him to return to play on June 12, 2026.

However, Purcell also forfeited results and prize money from December 16, 2023 until February 3, 2024. This decision once again sent shockwaves through the tennis world, with many comparing the severity of Purcell's suspension to that of Sinner's.

Aussie Jordan Thompson reacted to the news of his 2024 US Open Champion doubles partner's suspension,

"He took too much in an IV bag — to get suspended for that when there are other people who have done far worse and sometimes just get a slap on the wrist, it's a bit of a joke I think," he said.

Former Aussie player John Millman also spoke out on the situation to Channel 9.

"We talk about double standards, if there's such a thing as triple standard, I think that's what is happening here," the former world No.33 said.

"I think there should be a complete overhaul... are players being treated on a level playing field? It certainly looks as if those top players are getting preferential treatment."

The way that each of these cases regarding Świątek, Sinner, and Purcell was handled seems to vary, as well as the timelines, publicity, and subsequent consequences. The major governing bodies, the decisions they make, and the appeals process also seem to be very fuzzy.

How can players, coaches, and fans trust the current system in place when there are so

many discrepancies regarding how doping cases are handled? If top players seem to be

treated differently from lower-ranked players with less means to plead their cases, how can

the integrity of the sport be protected?

All these doping scandals are shedding light on a deeper issue regarding how doping is

handled within tennis. All the questions surrounding these cases mean that there may be no coherent and universal process that applies to each player and each situation identically.

As Millman said, a "complete overhaul" could be necessary to minimise the issues and scandals surrounding doping, as well as ensuring a fair and honest process for every player.

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