In light of recent doping scandals involving top players Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner, British tennis star Emma Raducanu has revealed her heightened caution regarding what substances she uses—going so far as to reject an antiseptic spray after being bitten by an insect in Melbourne.
Raducanu, who is set to begin her Australian Open campaign against Ekaterina Alexandrova, admitted that the recent high-profile doping cases have placed all players on high alert. Her approach highlights the evolving culture in tennis, where even seemingly harmless remedies are scrutinized.
“Quite Sensitive” About Everything She Consumes
Raducanu opened up about the impact these doping cases have had on players’ routines:
“I would say all of us are probably quite sensitive to what we take onboard, what we use. Yesterday, for example, I got really badly bitten by I don’t know what—ants, mosquitoes, something. I’m allergic, I guess. They flared up and swelled up really a lot,” she explained with a laugh.
When offered an antiseptic spray to ease the irritation, Raducanu refused:
“Someone was, like, giving me this antiseptic spray, natural, to try to ease the bites. I didn’t want to take it. I didn’t want to spray it. I was just like left there with my swollen ankle and hand. I was, like, I’m just going to tough it out because I don’t want to risk it.”
A Broader Issue in Tennis
Raducanu’s caution comes in the wake of doping cases that sent shockwaves through the sport. Both Swiatek and Sinner’s positive tests were later attributed to contamination, a reminder that even the most carefully managed athletes can be vulnerable.
The 22-year-old Raducanu acknowledged that these incidents have left players wary:
“It is obviously a concern in our mind.”
Despite the challenges, Raducanu remains committed to navigating these hurdles responsibly.
Ready for Melbourne
As she prepares for her opening match at the Australian Open, Raducanu’s proactive approach to avoiding any risk of contamination underscores her dedication to maintaining a clean record in the sport. Fans will be eager to see how the British star performs as she faces the 19th-seeded Alexandrova.
While the recent scandals have cast a shadow over tennis, players like Raducanu are proving that vigilance and integrity remain at the heart of the game.
