ATP’s Drug Policy too brutal, Andy Murray
During his Shanghai tour, Andy Murray made a singularly illuminating statement which simultaneously shed light on his recent poor performance at the 2010 US Open tournament and at the China Open. It can also cast a shadow over the Association of Tennis Professional’s
(ATP) strict drug testing policies.
The World’s Number Four said, “I’d rather be feeling sick for a few more days than risk failing a drugs test”.
This provides sufficient explanation for why Murray has been out of form for the past month or so; it explains his lethargic defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka at Flushing Meadows in September, and his dismal loss against Ivan Ljubicic in straight sets at Beijing.
He admitted that he has been feeling unwell for a few weeks, saying, “I had a really bad throat and a sore head and had no energy, but I feel much better now”.
This fear of taking even medicinal drugs to avoid being disqualified from a tournament showcases just how fanatical the ATP’s testing policies actually are. Last year alone, the International Tennis Federation (which co-runs the tennis drugs program with
the ATP) conducted 2126 on both ATP and WTA players, with a total cost of 1.5 million US dollars. For example, World Number 3 Roger Federer was tested 17 times, once out of competition too.
The ATP provides every player with a list of banned substances, which may also cover regular flu remedies, the players then hand these to their home doctors so they may keep up with physicians on the tour. Only the player, and not the doctor, is responsible
for any substances in the player’s body.
Although only the tournament doctor may give medicine during a tournament, there is still a fine line, as respected ATP physio Bill Norris says, “A drug that is OK in one country may have been made with a different base in China or elsewhere”.
However, the rule has instilled something akin to terror in the minds of tennis players. Take for example, Alberto Mancini, who was at one time Argentina’s Davis Cup captain. Mancini complained during the tournament that one of his injured players refused
to take even an aspirin, because “he is scared to death of getting tested positive now”.
The problem with these strict rules is this: many players may refuse treatment that they require, because they are scared of career-destroying circumstances should any of those drugs turn up on the banned list. The fact remains that these players, who must
travel all over the world with little rest, and who spend much of their time in group locker rooms, are very susceptible to diseases.
Again, Federer was afflicted with a light case of mononucleosis two years ago and recovered. However, promising Croatian Mario Ancic may well have lost his career due to his mono’s three-time return.
Another unreasonable request is the one-hour time slot which the ITF demands the players to reserve for drug testing every day. The players themselves often have no idea of where they will be on a given day, making this request cumbersome and difficult to
meet.
Tennis players must be allowed to get help for themselves when it is required. Up to a certain degree, this instilled fear is effective, but it is detrimental if players begin losing their careers over it. A life on the road is difficult and quite unhealthy.
The least these pros deserve is a clean bill of health without fear of suspension.
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