The recent high-profile cases of failed doping tests are making players more cautious with Emma Raducanu declining to take a suggested remedy to treat an allergic reaction.
The former US Open champion revealed on Thursday that her ankle and hand had swollen after she was bitten by insects whilst preparing for the upcoming Australian Open. After seeking medical advice, she was offered an antiseptic spray to take but declined to take it out of fear one of the ingredients inside the product might contain traces of a banned substance. Tennis players are more wary following the case of Jannik Sinner who said his two failed drugs tests were caused by a spray his former physio was using to treat a cut on his hand. The Spray Trofodermin can be brought over the counter in Italy but it contains the prohibited drug Clostebol.
In another example, Iga Swiatek was issued with a one-month suspension after proving that her failed test was caused by a contaminated medication she was taking for jet lag.
“I basically got bitten really badly, like, by these, I don’t know, like jumping ants or something. So I spent the second, you know, part of my day coming in to sign, seeing the doctor to try to get some remedies because I had a bit of an allergic reaction. But I’m fine now. I’m allergic, I guess,” said Raducanu.
“They flared up and swelled up really a lot. Someone was giving me this antiseptic spray, natural, to try to ease the bites. I didn’t want to take it. I didn’t want to spray it. I was just left there with my swollen ankle and hand. I was, like, I’m just going to tough it out because I don’t want to risk it.
“It’s obviously a concern on our mind. We’re all in the same boat. I think it’s just how we manage as best as we can the controllables. If something out of our control happens, then it’s going to be a bit of a struggle to try and prove [that a positive test is the result of contamination].”
Raducanu was scheduled to start her season at the ASB Classic in Auckland but had to withdraw from the event due to a back issue. Despite the setback, she is heading into the Australian Open with a good amount of confidence after a solid training block.
“I’ve been playing sets with top players,” she said. “I’m feeling like I’m holding my own more than OK in those instances and practices. I feel pretty good with my game. I’m looking forward to putting it on the match court. I think I can be a dangerous opponent for anyone really.”
Raducanu will face Russian 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in her opening match.
