Women’s Tennis Players Facing Tests for Drugs

The women’s tennis tour will begin random drug testing later this year and first offenders could be suspended for up to nine months, officials announced at Wimbledon.

The Women’s International Tennis Assn. said tests will be administered in a 12-month period.

Under the plan, 20% of the seeded players and 20% of the rest of the draw will be randomly tested for anabolic steroids, masking agents and cocaine.

If a player tests positive, she will face a mandatory nine-month suspension for the first offense. There was no mention of punishment for repeat offenders.

WITA president Chris Evert said drug testing was needed to guard against the use of anabolic steroids.

“Tennis is becoming a power game more than ever,” she said. “Some players are overpowering others. It is said that anabolic steroids would enhance the power, so if drugs are not in women’s tennis now they may well be in 10 years.”

The men’s tennis circuit tests for drugs.