Serena claims drug test ‘discrimination’
Says she is ‘getting tested the most’
LONDON : Serena Williams has questioned the randomness of anti-doping measures in tennis and claimed she is tested more than other players due to “discrimination”.
The 23-time grand slam champion complained about a lack of consistency in the tests ahead of Wimbledon, where she reached the final despite giving birth to her first child last September.
And, following a visit from anti-doping officers on Tuesday, the 36-year-old has now suggested there are discriminatory reasons for her having been tested more regularly than her rivals, as shown by the United States Anti-doping Agency’s (USADA) online database.
“And it’s that time of the day to get ‘randomly’ drug tested and only test Serena,” Williams posted on Twitter.
“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.”
She added: “But I’m ready to do whatever it takes to have a clean sport so bring it on. I’m excited.” As of July 20, Williams had been tested five times in 2018 - more than double the amount of any other female player in the database.
US OPEN PREPARATIONS
In the quest for her seventh US Open title, Williams will start her preparations for the yearending major in next week’s new Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California. She will also play in the Rogers Cup next month at Montreal.
The American star is returning to the Bay Area for what is the former Stanford WTA stop that moved to San Jose State University for the first time. The event runs from July 30 to August 5.
Rogers Cup tournament officials announced Tuesday that Williams received a wild card into that event, which begins Aug. 3. Her ranking jumped from No. 181 to No. 28 after her run at Wimbledon. The 36-year-old has played in four tournaments this year after giving birth last year.
The Rogers Cup is a tuneup for the U.S. Open. Williams last played it in 2014, when she reached the semi-finals. She won the event three times when it was played in Toronto.
Following her loss in the Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber, Williams said she had proven to herself that she could still compete to win majors. Her next Grand Slam title would tie her with Margaret Court for the most with 24. She already has the most major trophies in the professional era.