Serena Williams alleges bias in dope tests
Serena claims US doping chiefs are testing her more than others
“Out of all the players it’s been proven I’m the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so. At least I’ll be keeping the sport clean #StayPositive,” Serena tweeted.
Paris, July 25: Serena Williams claims she is the victim of “discrimination” by US doping chiefs who are testing her more than other players.
At Wimbledon, Serena slammed “shocking” treatment over excessive targeting from testers in the run-up to the second Grand Slam of the season.
And in a tweet on Wednesday the 23-time Grand slam winner reignited the discussion.
“..... And it’s that time of the day to get “randomly” drug tested and only test Serena,” she posted on her official Twitter page.
“Out of all the players it’s been proven I’m the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so. At least I’ll be keeping the sport clean #StayPositive,” she wrote.
The 36-year-old battled back from life-saving surgery after giving birth to get within touching distance of an eighth Wimbledon title.
However, the American suffered a straight sets defeat by Angelique Kerber in the women’s final on July 14.
She had arrived at the tournament on the back of a report revealing her anger about an unannounced test in June where the tester refused to leave her Florida house.
Williams said at the time she had been tested five times on June, compared to one or none from some of her compatriots.
Serena to play as Wild Card entrant
The Former world number one has been given a wild card to compete in next month’s Rogers Cup in Montreal, tournament organisers said on Tuesday.
The three-times champion has not competed in Montreal since her run to the semifinals in 2014 and last played the Rogers Cup in Toronto the following year.
“After announcing our player list a few weeks ago, we were only missing Serena to complete our dream tournament,” Rogers Cup tournament director Eugene Lapierre said in a statement.
“Serena has impressed everyone with the speed at which she was able to return to a high level of play. She has always been a fighter and she is proving it once again.”
Serena returned to competition at Indian Wells in March, where she lost in the third round, but has since looked close to her best.
The wild card given to Serena, who won the tournament in 2001, 2011 and 2013, is reserved for players who meet specific requirements, including previously having been ranked number one in the world.