Former world No.35 Madison Brengle has launched legal action against the governing bodies of tennis over the treatment she received during anti-doping checks.
The 28-year-old has accused both the ITF and WTA of ignoring her medical condition whilst undergoing the tests. Brengle suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I, according to legal documents. Known as CPRS for short, it is a nervous system disease that affects the functioning of the nerves.
In a statement, the American claims that she has been forced to withdraw from tournaments and now has permanent swelling and weakness in her serving arm and hand due to the blood tests.
Under anti-doping rules, Brengle underwent ‘venipuncture blood testing.’ A procedure where the puncture of a vein is conducted in order to draw blood. Legal files claims that this procedure exasperates her condition. Resulting in ‘extreme pain as well as swelling, numbness and bruising at and in the vicinity of the injection site.’
It is alleged the doping control system failed to provide her with an alternative procedure or any medical accommodation. Despite the ‘rare condition’ being disclosed on her medical records.
“I am bringing this action in an effort to force those who control the sport I love to understand that players are not commodities and should be treated with respect and dignity. The unbridled authority of officials to subject players to the kind of abuse I suffered cannot be tolerated; players must have a say in matters involving our health and safety.” Brengle said in a statement.
There has been previous accounts of Brengle’s struggle with her health. During the 2016 US Open, she told Delaware newspaper The New Journal that she suffers from a ‘vein condition.’ She was forced to retire from her first round match at the New York Major.
“|Every time I get one of these tests the same thing happens, and I tried my best to get ready,” she said. “The only way it gets better is with rest and time. I’ve had work with the physios and I’ve [been] sleeping with the compression sleeve, but it just takes time to heal.”
In a more recent incident, Brengle claims that she was threatened with a venipuncture test at her home last week. She will be represented in the lawsuit by lawyer Peter R. Ginsberg. Ginsberg is an expert in sports law who has previously been involved in cases connected with the NFL.
“While Brengle is making strides towards adjusting her game to deal with the consequences of what tennis authorities have done to her, the authorities who control women’s tennis continue their unbridled dominion over the players.” Said Ginsberg.
During her career, the current world No.83 has reached one tour final at the 2015 Hobart International. She has also previously scored wins over Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova.
There has been no comment from the WTA or ITF.
