Tennis enthusiasts have strongly criticized a new rule implemented by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concerning drug testing.
According to the ITIA, players selected for a urine drug test who choose to shower beforehand must stay visible to a chaperone at all times.
The agency clarified that while they`ve worked to allow post-match showers as a possible delay for testing, recognizing hygiene`s importance and potential health effects, showering is ultimately “not a right.”
Therefore, players who wish to wash up immediately after a match but before providing a sample are required to do so within the chaperone`s full view.
The ITIA suggested that players uncomfortable with being watched should consider delaying their shower until after the sample is given.
These stringent regulations are part of ongoing efforts to combat drug cheating in tennis, a problem that has grown in recent years.
Reaction from fans and commentators was swift and negative.
American sports journalist Jon Wertheim described the rule on X as “extraordinary.”
Many fans echoed this sentiment, branding the rule “creepy,” “unacceptable,” and “completely bonkers.” One expressed sheer disbelief, writing, “I cannot believe what I just read.”
In response to the public outcry, the ITIA released a follow-up statement.
They admitted that some aspects of the anti-doping procedure are uncomfortable.
However, they emphasized that the requirement for a chaperone to maintain constant observation until the test is finished is a standard protocol across all sports adhering to the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
