ITIA Under Fire: Tennis Stars Slam Anti-Doping Agency Over Handling of High-Profile Cases

The tennis anti-doping agency has pledged to improve transparency and trust, with a focus on educating players about anti-doping rules and reducing contaminated supplement cases.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has made improving trust in its anti-doping rules a top priority. This comes after several high-profile cases in 2023 raised concerns and doubts about the agency's processes. According to CEO Karen Moorhouse, the ITIA is committed to rebuilding trust, as outlined in the agency's annual review.

One notable case that sparked controversy was that of men's world number one Jannik Sinner. In February, Sinner accepted a three-month ban after reaching an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This decision came after WADA appealed against the ruling of an independent tribunal, which had initially cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing following a positive doping test.

Poland's Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, accepted a one-month suspension in November after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ). Swiatek attributed the positive test to contamination of her sleep medication. The handling of Swiatek's case, as well as that of Jannik Sinner, has drawn attention to the anti-doping system in tennis.

📰 Our Annual Review for 2024 has now been published.

The annual review contains figures from both the Tennis Anti-Corruption and Anti-Doping programmes, our education delivery, and other insights from the ITIA's 2024 operations.

— International Tennis Integrity Agency (@itia_tennis) March 27, 2025

The swift resolution and relatively lenient penalties in Sinner and Swiatek's cases have raised questions about the anti-doping process. This scrutiny has been fueled by criticism from former world number one Simona Halep, who expressed frustration over the lengthy delays in her own case. International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) CEO Karen Moorhouse acknowledged the concerns, stating, “(The Jannik Sinner) case has invariably raised further questions about the anti-doping process in tennis.”

Moorhouse emphasized the ITIA's commitment to addressing these concerns and fostering greater understanding of the anti-doping system. “We - alongside our funders - are determined to answer them, and drive deeper understanding of the work we do within the sport,” she said. Moorhouse also highlighted the importance of collaboration and transparency in building trust. “The complexity of the system is one of the many reasons why it's important that we continue to work together with our members and tennis stakeholders to build trust.”

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has faced accusations of double standards in its handling of anti-doping cases. Tennis legends, including 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, have criticized the ITIA for a lack of consistency and transparency. Australian player Nick Kyrgios went further, describing the cases involving Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner as “disgusting” for the sport.

The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) has also filed a lawsuit against tennis's governing bodies, alleging that the ITIA has violated players' privacy rights through random drug tests. The ITIA's annual review reveals a significant increase in anti-doping tests, with 9,151 tests conducted in 2024 - a 26% rise from the previous year.

The professional tennis system is unfair, nontransparent, and rigged against the players.

The PTPA and players' legal challenges will hold the tennis establishment accountable to ensure real, long-lasting improvements are made.

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— Professional Tennis Players Association (@ptpaplayers) March 18, 2025

The ITIA has emphasized the importance of educating players about anti-doping rules, particularly regarding the risks of contaminated supplements. This will be a key focus of the agency's strategy over the next three years. As ITIA Anti-Doping Senior Director Nicole Sapstead noted, “The past 12 months has reinforced the challenges involved for players and their support teams.”

Sapstead highlighted the prevalence of contaminated supplements in anti-doping rule violations. “30% of anti-doping rule violations in tennis over the past 15 years can be attributed to contaminated supplements, and there is work to be done,” she said. However, Sapstead emphasized that the majority of players compete clean, and most cases involve unintentional doping. “It remains our view that the vast majority of players compete clean, and the largest proportion of TADP (Tennis Anti-Doping Programme) cases involve unintentional doping.”

Jannik Sinner's case is a prime example of unintentional doping. The Italian player tested positive for anabolic agent clostebol at last year's Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. Sinner attributed the positive test to contamination from a member of his support team through massages and sports therapy. His three-month ban will end on May 4th.