“Right now, there is a lack of trust generally from the tennis players, both male and female, toward WADA and ITIA and the whole process,” Novak Djokovic said while reflecting on Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban. Rebuilding players’ trust in anti-doping rules seems to be the most challenging task for the ITIA after several high-profile cases last year raised doubts over its procedures. Even the CEO of ITIA, Karen Moorhouse, admitted, “(The Jannik Sinner) case has invariably raised further questions about the anti-doping process in tennis.” According to ITIA’s reports, there was a 26% increase in anti-doping tests in 2024, compared to the previous year. In order to minimize doping further, the ITIA has come up with several new measures as well. Now Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, was seen sharing her thoughts about it.

On Friday, the ITIA informed players about a new rule that will be implemented immediately after the matches. The players will now not be able to shower without being observed when they are called to undergo the anti-doping tests. Renowned tennis journalist Jon Wertheim shared the report on his X account with the caption, “This is …extraordinary.”

If we take a deeper dive into it, the rule says, “The ITIA and previously the ITF have worked hard to ensure that showers following matches can amount to a permissible delay to doping control, particularly when not showering could have a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of a player. However, showering is not an entitlement, and it’s for this reason the ITIA kindly requests that when showering players adhere to the requirement to stay in full view of the chaperone observing them at all times.”

It further mentions that if a player is not comfortable being observed whilst showering, they can suggest that the officials consider whether a shower is necessary before providing a doping control sample. But in case the shower is necessary, failure to remain in full view of the chaperone will be taken extremely seriously by the ITIA.

Is it the first time that we’re coming across something like this in the tennis world? Not really. Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs went through the same, as she recently revealed, “We always have had to shower with the door open. The drug testing people were with us every minute from the moment we walked off court including watching us shower. I don’t know what they’re putting this out now.”

Rennae Stubbs keeps sharing her thoughts on controversial issues surrounding the governing bodies of the racket sport. Even when the PTPA and 22 players filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA in a US court, Stubbs was among the first ones to share her thoughts on that. What was the allegation, and what did Stubbs say about it?

Serena Williams’ ex-coach’s reaction to the PTPA lawsuit

Just a few weeks ago, PTPA, a body devised by Novak Djokovic, sued the ATP, WTA, ITF, and the ITIA, alleging that those governing bodies have exploited the players. According to their claims reported by Reuters, the tennis schedule is unsustainable, and they also believe that the players’ privacy rights have been undermined by random drug testing.

In a press release issued by the PTPA on March 18, these governing bodies are accused of functioning as a “cartel” and running a “corrupt system.” According to Ahmad Nassar, the Executive Director of the PTPA, “Tennis is broken. Behind the glamorous veneer that the Defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety.” So, this step was taken considering the restrictive nature of the organization that imposes “draconian” and restraining practices on the players.

He also mentioned that they had, in fact, previously tried to resolve these issues through communication, but it didn’t work out for them, and hence, they were forced to take this legal action.

Reacting to the PTPA lawsuit, Stubbs wrote on X, “Being a successful pro tennis player is hard. Long stints away from home (especially Aussies), injuries, tough emotional moments, loneliness, hard grinding physical work, and mental fortitude. But it’s what u sign up for, and u know what u can get out of it if u work hard enough.” 

But what are your thoughts on the PTPA lawsuit and the new anti-doping rules that have been recently announced by the ITIA?