Let’s talk about doping in women’s Tennis. It’s a controversial topic that has affected some of the biggest names in the sport, including Simone Halep, Maria Sharapova, and Dayana Yastremska.
So, why the talk about doping in women’s Tennis?
We can thank Genie Bouchard for trending this topic again. After winning against Dayana Yastremska at the Madrid Open, Genie threw shade at the Ukrainian tennis player in a now-deleted tweet.
Genie Bouchard has now deleted and apologized for the above tweet. However, it appears to be too little too late. The tweet has spread like wildfire across the internet and reignited the discussion surrounding doping in women’s Tennis. So, let’s recap the players that have been involved, as well as the fallout a doping scandal can have on a player’s career.
Maria Sharapova
We all remember when Maria Sharapova was banned from tennis for 2 years back in 2016 after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. Sharapova later had her ban reduced to 15 months. Many believed that she got off too lightly, considering that the typical punishment for doping is a four-year ban.
Dayana Yastremska
Meanwhile, Ukrainian player Dayana Yastremska was suspended from the sport for nine months after she also tested positive for a banned substance, mesterolone, in 2021. Yastremska was later cleared from her ban when the ITF accepted that Yastremska bore no fault or negligence for the violation.
At the Madrid Open, Genie Bouchard beat Yastremska, which triggered the viral and now deleted tweet. Responses like Genie’s show that even when a player is cleared of their ban, the stigma surrounding the ban continues to linger.
Simone Halep
Simone Halep, former world number one, is the latest player under fire for doping. She is currently provisionally suspended after testing positive for Roxadustat ahead of the 2022 US Open. The substance is a banned substance listed on the 2022 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. Halep is still fighting for a hearing for her doping case in hopes of clearing her name.
The Fallout of Doping Scandals
For the players affected, it’s not just about clearing their name. The effects of a doping ban are long-lasting and devastating for a player’s career. Even after serving their time, it is incredibly challenging to rise back up in their world ranking after being off for so long. Simon Halep, for example, has seen her ranking decline from number 1 to 26. After a long ban, players either have to go through the qualifiers, or hope for a wild card.
But, the fallout extends even further! The stigma related to doping scandals often leads to players losing sponsors and ambassador deals.
The root cause of these scandals is changes and inconsistencies in the doping rules. Players are often blindsided by rule changes and find themselves in a vulnerable position. Let’s call for consistency in the rules and for fair trials to clear names! And let’s not forget the toll that a doping ban can have on a player’s career and well-being. Athletes need access to all the information and testing necessary to ensure they’re following the rules!
