Emma Raducanu 'nervous' about failing drugs tests and fears being targeted
The British star is anxious following the doping scandals that have rocked tennis.
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 since 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 being handed a one-month suspension in the off-season after testing positive for trimetazidine in August 2024.
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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 told The Sun 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.
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“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.”
Despite her struggles for form and fitness in the past three years, Raducanu remains a high-profile star in the sport. She shot to superstardom in September 2021 following her incredible US Open win, which made her the first qualifier in history to win a Grand Slam event.
During the Sinner scandal, Raducanu conceded she now took extra care with what she consumed. The British no.2 is even careful not to leave products lying around in case thet are tampered with.
“I’m very careful with what I drink, what I eat," she said. "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.”
