Julien Benneteau, captain of the Billie Jean King Cup team for France, has weighed in on the recent doping controversies surrounding tennis players Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner, emphasizing the need for clearer communication to protect the sport’s reputation. Speaking on the latest episode of Les Grandes Gueules du Sport on RMC, the former French player asserted that while tennis does not inherently have a doping problem, issues arise from the handling and communication of individual cases.
“I don’t believe tennis has a doping issue,” Benneteau stated. “The real problem lies with the ITIA, particularly in terms of communication and the inconsistent treatment of these cases. This situation certainly raises doubts and questions. When we consider whether some of the top 100 players are doping or if the ATP and WTA are covering up positive tests, it’s simply not feasible. We are under constant monitoring, with players subjected to 15 to 20 tests per year, which is significant for an individual sport. There is no organized doping in tennis. However, the ITIA needs to standardize its communication and sanctions, as it currently appears to depend on a player’s ranking.”
Sinner is currently facing scrutiny after testing positive for Clostebol, with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recommending disqualification due to negligence. Meanwhile, Swiatek has already served a one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine, a fact that came to light recently.
As the tennis world grapples with these issues, the upcoming World Tennis League (WTL) will take place from December 19 to 22 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. This year’s edition features 16 male and female players divided into four teams, but has been marred by off-court controversies. In response to the situation, organizers have proactively adjusted team compositions to mitigate potential distractions during the event.
Originally, Swiatek and Australian player Nick Kyrgios were set to compete on the same team. However, due to the ongoing doping discussions, the WTL has opted to revise the team lineups for precautionary reasons. The revised teams are as follows:
Team Eagles: Iga Swiatek, Hubert Hurkacz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Paula Badosa
Team Falcons: Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Elena Rybakina, and Caroline Garcia
Team Hawks: Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Fritz, Mirra Andreeva, and Sumit Nagal
Team Kites: Jasmine Paolini, Casper Ruud, Nick Kyrgios, and Barbora Krejcikova
As the WTL approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that the integrity of the sport is upheld amid these challenges.
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