Emma Raducanu has admitted she fears being set up to fail a drugs test following the doping scandal surrounding men’s world No.1 Jannik Sinner. Professional tennis has been left reeling after Sinner accepted a three-month ban for a violation after he tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol in March 2024.
That’s despite the Italian claiming his result was due to steroid cream his physiotherapist had applied to his own hands before treating the star. He was initially cleared of negligence or liability by an independent tribunal, but after WADA confirmed they would appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport, he negotiated a short ban. The scandal followed Iga Swiatek accepting a one-month suspension in the off-season after testing positive for trimetazidine in August 2024.
Now Raducanu, 22, has spoken about her paranoia over taking medication, even when prescribed. She is also “nervous” about the prospect of being deliberately targeted when eating and drinking.
“I don’t want to take anything even if the doctors are saying you should take this – just out of risk of contamination,” she said, ahead of the Italian Open in Rome. “Even if it’s not prohibited on the anti-doping list, you don’t know if it’s contaminated by another product.
“It can show a green tick, but if it’s contaminated you will still get screwed over. We could go to a restaurant and someone could put something in our drink. It’s really hard, especially if you are noticeable and the waiter recognises you. It’s something I do worry about – nervous every time.”
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