Emma Raducanu admits that there is an air of anxiety spreading among elite tennis players after recent high-profile failed drug tests across the sport. Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have been at the centre of controversy surrounding banned substances.
Sinner tested positive for a banned substance twice in March, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency absolved him of any fault or negligence.
The men’s world No. 1 explained that clostebol – an anabolic agent that helps muscle growth – had accidentally entered his system via a product his physio had used to treat a small wound.
The ITIA accepted his reasoning, but the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed against the decision, pushing for “a ban between one or two years.”
Swiatek wasn’t so lucky. The Polish former world No. 1 took a product to help battle jet lag and sleep issues, but it was contaminated with a banned substance.
After a sample provided in August contained the angina medication trimetazidine, Swiatek received a one-month ban.
The ITIA later accepted that the five-time Grand Slam champion’s level of fault was at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’.
But both ordeals have left tennis’ big stars concerned, including Raducanu, who has explained the financial and practical impact.
She said: “I think in general, not just me but a lot of the players I know, we’re quite apprehensive. Everything we take, we are very aware of the situation and how easily things can be contaminated.
“And there are certain supplements that I may want to take but I can’t take them because they’re over-the-counter and they’re not batch-tested (pre-tested for prohibited substances).
“To batch test something is £1,000 for one little thing, so it’s very expensive.
“For the things that you really, really need to take, then it’s obviously worth that, but you just have to cut out a lot of things that you wouldn’t necessarily take.
“I’m very careful with what I drink, what I eat. If I leave my water around, I’m very on edge about it. But it’s just part of the sport. We’re all in the same boat.”
Raducanu was speaking in her final press conference in 2024, where she announced she had hired fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.
Nakamura has previously worked with Naomi Osaka and Maria Sharapova.
He will support the 22-year-old’s efforts to overcome the injury issues that have hampered her career since her 2021 US Open win.
