Three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray has become the latest player on the tour to call for further improvement to his sports anti-doping programme.
Murray, 31, believes the current system could improve further when it comes to outlining the number of drugs tests they conduct. In recent weeks Serena Williams has claimed that she is being unfairly targeted by anti-doping officers. Earlier this year a Deadspin article revealed that Williams has spoken to the head of the WTA, Steve Simon, about her concerns of being unfairly targeted. During the first six months of 2018, she has been tested five times by the USDA.
Weighing in on the debate, Murray refrained from speaking specifically about Williams’ claims. Instead, he outlined the current testing he has undergone within recent months, despite being away from the tour. Murray didn’t start his season until June due to a hip injury which required surgery at the start of the year.
“I think in terms of the testing, I’ve had when I’ve been injured – it probably feels as if you’re being tested less because normally we’re travelling a lot and get tested a lot in competition,’ Murray said in Washington over the weekend. ‘When you’re not playing it feels like it’s less.
‘There have been periods in the last six months where I’ve been tested quite a lot out of competition and then more recently where I’ve not really been tested much at all.”
The former world No.1 went on to call for officials to make it clearer to the public as to how many tests players undertake. According to the International Tennis Federation, Murray underwent at least seven in-competition and seven out-of-competition drugs tests in 2017. Not counting any tests that might have been conducted by his national anti-doping body.
“In terms of how much players get tested, I mean, I don’t know all of the details of numbers and the actual facts of how much everyone individually gets tested.” He stated.
“Maybe tennis could do a better job with being more transparent with that and kind of showing exactly how many tests everyone has.
‘From what I’ve seen it’s quite vague – they put like 7+, which is a bit vague. It means someone could have seven or someone could have 20, which is obviously quite a big difference.
‘Certainly since I first came on tour there’s been significantly more testing but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily enough because in comparisons to other sports we don’t get tested loads.
‘There’s enough money in tennis for us to have a better programme probably.’
The Brit is not the first to call for improvements. Compatriot Johanna Konta is another critic. During the Wimbledon championships, the former top 10 player has criticised that way samples are obtained from players. Describing it as an ‘invasive process.’
“It’s quite a violating process: People come to your home. You’re in your pyjamas. You get woken out of bed, told to take down your pants, give your arm, pee in a cup. It’s an invasive process. It’s something that comes with the territory, but I don’t think it’s something I will miss when I retire.” She said.
Murray will return to action this week at the Citi Open in Washington. In the first round, he will take on McKenzie McDonald.
