Wimbledon organisers to focus on out-of-competition drug testing

PLAYERS competing at Wimbledon are set to be drug-tested more than ever before in the build-up to this year’s championships as organisers focus resources on out-of-competition testing.

Scarred by a string of recent scandals, Wimbledon had announced on Tuesday that it was stepping up the fight against anti-doping, without revealing any details.

But in an email, the International Tennis Federation, which administers and part-funds the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), said Wimbledon had discussed its plans with the ITF and will focus its attention on out-of-competition testing.

The additional tests, which will be funded by Wimbledon, will be carried out by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the ITF said.

As a result, players competing at this year’s championships could be tested out of competition in the run up to the grand slam event by UK Anti-Doping on behalf of Wimbledon, as well as being tested in and/or out of competition by the ITF.

Wimbledon said in a statement yesterday: “In addition to the TADP In-Competition testing, the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club) will be implementing additional anti-doping measures for The Championships 2016, the details of which are required to remain confidential.

“As all anti-doping testing is carried out independently of the tournament organisers, we are not able to comment on the level of testing which will take place other than to say that we are fully supportive of a comprehensive In-Competition and Out-of-Competition testing programme.” – Reuters