All athletes can be tested at any time, in any place.
A comprehensive Anti-Doping testing programme is fundamental to fair sport. On behalf of our tennis members (the ATP, ITF, WTA and the four Grand Slams), we test to deter cheating through the use of prohibited substances.
Our testing programme follows the rules laid out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and helps to ensure that the sport remains free from doping.
Testing can take place in-competition at events, or out-of-competition, in training venues, tournament hotels, or even at an athlete’s home.
Testing is intelligence-led and risk-based, however it will always be conducted with ‘no advanced notice’.
The process
Whether in-competition or outside of it, testing is carried out by qualified and registered Doping Control Officers (DCOs). For a step-by-step guide on the testing process, click below:
Watch the video below to learn how testing works
There are some unique circumstances whereby the testing process is adapted, or altered from regular testing provision. These are as follows:
Athletes under 18 are considered minors. Minors can still be tested
Much of the testing process is the same as adult athletes, however modifications are made to ensure minors are safeguarded.
These include:
- Being encouraged to have an adult present for the notification process, and thereafter. If this is declined by the athlete, the DCO will ensure that another adult is present – for safeguarding purposes.
- During the sample provision process, the DCO observing the provision will be witnessed by another observer. The observer will not be able to witness the athlete providing the sample, unless the athlete specifies otherwise.
For those athletes with an impairment such as physical, visual or intellectual there are some modifications to the testing process to ensure it is accessible and suitable for all. The DCO will consult the athlete, and their representatives if necessary, to determine appropriate modifications.
These may include, but are not limited to:
- Use of alternative testing equipment
- An alternative Doping Control Station
- Use of personal assistance in providing a sample (if authorised by the athlete and relevant DCO)
Considerations will also be made around informed consent and the presence of representatives, in cases of visual, physical or intellectual impairment.
All modifications will be documented
A selected group of tennis players are tested regularly as part of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Programme. ABP programmes are used across tennis and other sports to as an additional instrument to detect whether players are using prohibited substances or methods that other forms of testing may not identify.
Traditional anti-doping testing aims to directly identify prohibited substances and methods in an athlete’s blood and urine.
The ABP allows the long-term monitoring of an athlete’s biological data in both blood and urine, looking indirectly for potential markers that indicate doping within a set of parameters, called biomarkers.
A player’s ABP profile, or ‘passport’, is made up of multiple blood and urine samples collected and analysed over time. The analysis of these samples allows for a player’s normal values to be established.
These normal values are monitored long-term for changes; such changes can be caused by the following:
The use of a prohibited substance or method without detecting the substance in traditional Anti-Doping tests.
-Irregular use of prohibited substances and methods.
-Use of substances for which a direct test is not available.
Players have access to their ABP sample record on ADAMS at all times should they want to view their personal data.
ABP data/monitoring is managed and handled anonymously by an external Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU), which are made up of WADA-accredited laboratory experts. If the APMU suspects the use of prohibited substances or methods, the passport is sent for further analysis by three independent experts.
The ABP approach was officially introduced by WADA in 2009 and operates amongst International Federation (IF) and National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) programmes worldwide.
For more information on ABPs, visit WADA’s website.
Still have a question about the testing procedure, process, or ABP? Check out our list of handy FAQs below
Frequently Asked Questions
Whenever you are asked to provide a sample – you must complete the test. Refusal to do so can result in a significant suspension from the sport, in the same way as any other Anti-Doping Rule Violation would.
You are solely responsible for all substances that you put inside your body and it is your responsibility to check the prohibited list to ensure you are not taking any prohibited substances through your diet or medications.
The ABP is a way to detect the use of prohibited substances and methods by monitoring an individual player’s blood and urine parameters. Multiple blood and urine samples are collected and analysed to establish a player’s normal values, and make up the player’s profile, or ‘passport’. The monitoring of a player’s profile will detect any changes to their blood or urine parameters over time.
Traditional samples are analysed in isolation, and a violation of the TADP occurs when a prohibited substance is present in a player’s blood or urine sample. Traditional samples directly detect the presence of prohibited substances and methods. However, ABP blood and urine samples allow the long-term monitoring of an athlete’s biological data in both blood and urine, which may indicate doping within a set of parameters.
Analysis of blood and urine parameters over multiple samples allows each player’s normal values to be established. These normal values are then monitored for changes which could be caused by: a) The use of a prohibited substance or method without detecting the substance itself. b) Intermittent use (including micro-dosing) of prohibited substances and methods. c) Use of substances for which a direct test is not available.
Yes, players have access to their ABP sample record on ADAMS at all times, should they want to view their personal data.
Each ABP sample is three millilitres (less than one teaspoon), which represents about one-thousandth or 0.1% of the total amount of blood in the body. (Traditional blood donation is 470ml). Normally, no more than 19 milliliters (four teaspoons) will be collected at once. The collection of more than one tube of blood occurs when the samples will also be used to test for multiple substances.
Yes. For a traditional collection, a Doping Control Officer (DCO) will ask a player to sit for 10 minutes prior to providing any blood sample.
When providing ABP samples, a player must stop exercising 2 hours before their sample is collected. When completing the Doping Control Form, a player will be asked additional questions, including whether they have been exercising in the last two hours, and whether they have given blood or had a blood transfusion in the past week. This is important as these factors could influence a player’s blood parameters.
No. The ABP is an additional tool in the fight against doping, and is used alongside traditional blood and urine testing and analysis methods.
Yes. Since its official introduction in 2009 many athletes, across a variety of sports, have been sanctioned under the ABP.
Analysis takes place on an anonymous basis and computer modelling software automatically detects unusual blood and urine parameter values that are outside of a player’s normal range. The Athlete Passport Management Units (APMU), located at WADA-accredited laboratories, then makes a recommendation based on these values. If the use of prohibited substances or methods are suspected, data is provided to an independent review panel, consisting of three experts, along with the player’s explanation of those values. If the panel unanimously concludes that it is highly likely that the player used a prohibited substance or method, then the player will be charged.
All international-level players may be subject to testing under the ABP programme; however, those in the International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP) are likely to be subject to ABP testing more frequently.
Occasionally, bruising of the arm may develop. Bruises are usually harmless and will disappear with time and it is normal for them to spread out before fading. The risk of developing a bruise can be reduced by: compressing the point of needle insertion for 2 minutes immediately after the test; avoiding training for 2-3 hours following the test; not taking anti-inflammatory medications such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen on the day of the test.
Chaperones will have a letter of authorisation from the responsible Anti-Doping Organtisation (ADO). Doping Control Officers will also have photo identification.
While the exact time depends on the person’s health, diet and exercise, it should be no more than 3 hours. Blood drawing results in no measurable effect on performance.
If the Doping Control Officer (DCO) is not able to collect blood after 3 unsuccessful attempts, the collection process will be terminated.
