Is Serena Williams the Most Drug-Tested Athlete Ever? Revisiting her Angst After a Random 2018 Doping Test

Throughout her life as a professional tennis player, Serena Williams has been an inspiration to many. From her pursuits on tennis courts to her off-court accomplishments, she has won all of them and there is no denying the fact that she has left a great legacy behind. However, due to her exceptional gameplay, she has received some serious allegations regarding her sporting integrity.

While many have claimed that Serena had used illegal substances throughout her career, the 23-time grand slam winner has always denied the rumors while undergoing multiple tests to prove her words. That being said, one question has always been raised: is she the most drug-tested athlete ever?

Serena Williams and her history with drug tests

It all started back in 2014 when Serena Williams was granted 5 TUEs (Therapeutic use exemption). According to the media, Serena Williams received five TUEs in 2014 and 2015 for the corticosteroids prednisone and prednisolone. The other TUE that she received was for a narcotic painkiller oxycodone. Corticosteroids reduce swelling and inflammation. Not only this but it also heightens some physiological functions.

However, a recent tweet by the Russian Embassy stated that the WADA reports in 2016 clearly wrote that the American champions had been found using banned substances under the name of TUE.  However, nothing of that sort was officially confirmed.

Traveling to 2018, Serena Williams was paid a surprise visit to her house by a drug tester to her house. While Serena was not in her house the tester refused to leave the house until she came. It was only in the end when he had to leave to take the sample that he wanted. Having already undergone 3 tests earlier in the same year, she was stunned by the limelight she was in when it came to doping tests.

“Over her 23-year career in tennis, Serena Williams has never tested positive for any illegal substance despite being tested significantly more than other professional tennis players, both male and female – in fact, four times more frequently than her peers…” said Kelly Bush Novak, her sportsperson. “While she willingly continues to submit to testing, there is absolutely no reason for this kind of invasive and targeted treatment.”

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Not only this, but Serena Williams herself came ahead and expressed her frustration over the incident. She suggested that out of all the players in the sort, she is the only one who is under a lot of light for being tested for drugs. She further added that she is the one who is trying to keep the sport clean.

But, despite this, she suggested that she is ready to do whatever it takes and prove that she is not using any banned substance. While showing her vision of clean sport, she suggested that she is ready. “But I’m ready to do whatever it takes to have a clean sport so bring it on. I’m excited,” said Williams in the tweet.