Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LEAVE ME ALONE!
Serena claims she has been victimised by US drug-testers
SERENA WILLIAMS has accused drug-testers of unfairly targeting her after it was revealed she refused a test earlier this month.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion was practising at the All England Club yesterday after being seeded No.25 for the Grand
Slam which starts on Monday.
But it is claimed that she argued with a US Antidoping Agency (USADA) officer who called at her Florida home on June 14.
No test was taken – and Williams complained to the head of women’s tennis about her treatment.
The winner of 23 Grand Slams tweeted on May 21 she had been drug tested twice in one week.
USADA records show Williams, who has played only three tournaments this year after returning from maternity leave, has already been tested five times in 2018.
Sister Venus has been tested twice and US Open champion Sloane Stephens (above) only once. A spokeswoman for Serena said: “Over her 23-year career, she has never tested positive for any illegal substance, despite being tested significantly more than other professional players, male and female – in fact, four times more frequently than her peers.
“She has vocally supported, respected and complied with USADA testing throughout her entire career.
“While she willingly continues to submit to testing, there is no reason for this kind of invasive and targeted treatment.”
A USADA statement said: “USADA retains the right to test any athlete at any time and may target test athletes as USADA deems appropriate.”
Russian hackers revealed in 2016 that Williams had a Therapeutic Use Exemption for taking authorised drugs, but has never failed a test.
In Wimbledon qualifying, two former women finalists – Eugenie Bouchard and Vera Zvonareva – won through to today’s draw.