Doping Again !

Jan · Hall of fame

RE: Doping Again !

GAMEOVER · Satellite level

JonH comes home wrote:
Halep has got a wild card for the AO qualies

x.com/josemorgado/status/1869319529664598178/photo/1

Reported now that Halep has withdrawn from Auckland and AO qualifying due to ongoing injuries.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Kyrgios offers his twopenn'orth on the Sinner & Swiatek cases.

Var · Satellite level

Stircrazy wrote:
Kyrgios offers his twopenn'orth on the Sinner & Swiatek cases.

Interesting read, candid. Swiateks recent quote.

"I was scared that most people were going to turn their back on me. But I felt the support and it's great.

Assuming the word people should be substituted by the word sponsors?

wimbledont · Lower Club Player

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/10/raducanu-turns-down-insect-bite-treatment-over-doping-fears-in-australia

..,Describes what seems to me a desperately silly state of affairs, where Emma feels it is too risky to apply a spray to insect bites, for fear it may contain a banned ingredient.

Perhaps there could be a system at major events, or perhaps even at all ATP/WTA level events, where the tournament medics, working under the aegis of the governing bodies, supply players with approved basic remedies for common minor health complaints, so that players would be able to play in greater comfort, and the weeding out of problematic medications could be as a result of informed conversations between the TIU/WDA and trained pharmacists/physicians; rather than expecting a bunch of dumb athletes to become both expert and meticulous at reading dozens of polysyllabic ingredients in very small print.

Jan · Hall of fame

wimbledont wrote:
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/10/raducanu-turns-down-insect-bite-treatment-over-doping-fears-in-australia

..,Describes what seems to me a desperately silly state of affairs, where Emma feels it is too risky to apply a spray to insect bites, for fear it may contain a banned ingredient.

Perhaps there could be a system at major events, or perhaps even at all ATP/WTA level events, where the tournament medics, working under the aegis of the governing bodies, supply players with approved basic remedies for common minor health complaints, so that players would be able to play in greater comfort, and the weeding out of problematic medications could be as a result of informed conversations between the TIU/WDA and trained pharmacists/physicians; rather than expecting a bunch of dumb athletes to become both expert and meticulous at reading dozens of polysyllabic ingredients in very small print.

That would be very sensible!

Lambda · ATP qualifying

wimbledont wrote:
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/10/raducanu-turns-down-insect-bite-treatment-over-doping-fears-in-australia

..,Describes what seems to me a desperately silly state of affairs, where Emma feels it is too risky to apply a spray to insect bites, for fear it may contain a banned ingredient.

Perhaps there could be a system at major events, or perhaps even at all ATP/WTA level events, where the tournament medics, working under the aegis of the governing bodies, supply players with approved basic remedies for common minor health complaints, so that players would be able to play in greater comfort, and the weeding out of problematic medications could be as a result of informed conversations between the TIU/WDA and trained pharmacists/physicians; rather than expecting a bunch of dumb athletes to become both expert and meticulous at reading dozens of polysyllabic ingredients in very small print.

I think there is. When news about Swiatek's suspension came out I remember Tara saying something questioning why Swiatek took over the counter medication when she could have got medication that was approved and regulated from contaminants from the WTA for free.

the addict · Tennis legend

Article on the BBC website mentioing Tara and Pro-Bono legal aid

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c9vm11d9mjmo

Strongbow · All-time great

the addict wrote:
Article on the BBC website mentioing Tara and Pro-Bono legal aid

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/c9vm11d9mjmo

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Halep announces her retirement

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cr7e1nldk05o

Her career will probably always have the final drug ban hanging over her legacy, sadly and rightly or wrongly

the addict · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
Halep announces her retirement

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cr7e1nldk05o

Her career will probably always have the final drug ban hanging over her legacy, sadly and rightly or wrongly

I thought it was on the way - she hasn't been able to play much with injuries, and she was hammered today which shows she can't play to the required level (although the decision had already been made).

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Sinner gets a 3 month ban, from early Feb to early May, conveniently plays the French .

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
Sinner gets a 3 month ban, from early Feb to early May, conveniently plays the French .

My immediate reaction was that they have slotted that ban very nicely into his schedule.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Bob in Spain wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
Sinner gets a 3 month ban, from early Feb to early May, conveniently plays the French .
My immediate reaction was that they have slotted that ban very nicely into his schedule.

Exactly

PaulM · Tennis legend

Yes Sinner has been excellently advised here, although it obviously makes everything and everyone look terrible.

I'm surprised at some players, including it appears Tara, not seeming to know that a player who has been accused of a doping violation can request a Case Resolution Agreement. The downside is you have to admit the violation, but actually, not doing so is often a waste of time unless you think the sample has been tampered with or you have certainty on the No Fault basis.

Because having the substance in your system means you have committed a violation. It's very strict, and the bar to provide No Fault is high and can take a very long time, as we know with Tara.

Fighting the case may mean at the end of it all you are still found to have committed a violation and then the findings of fault/accident/negligence whatever impact the sanction. With Tara she was vindicated in making that fight, but it came at huge personal cost and of course I think there is still an appeal against that decision in train?

So by saying, I admit I had this stuff in the system the regs allow you to request a negotiation where the circumstances are taken into account and means that the whole is likely to be dealt with (i) far quicker and (ii) you probably get a better personal outcome.

So what Sinner has ended up with is a similar outcome to lots of other cases: committed a violation, circumstances suggest limited or no personal fault, but athlete is responsible for what is in their body, so here's some sort of ban that sounds about right.

Difference is he worked the Rules in his favour to get there quickly and with an outcome that suits his schedule.

What will be interesting is whether in future more players try for a Case Resolution Agreement early, and whether it is accepted in a similar way.

-- Edited by PaulM on Saturday 15th of February 2025 02:20:51 PM