Serena Williams has criticized the anti-doping system in tennis as she prepares for her Wimbledon comeback. The 44-year-old, who returned to the sport after a hiatus, described the process as "unprofessional" and "unreasonable" during a recent interview.
Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, highlighted the challenges of complying with the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) rules, which require players to provide their daily whereabouts for no-notice testing. She noted that missing a test outside her designated window still counts as a missed test, which she found problematic.
"It's grueling. They changed the rules now. I didn't know some of the rules. So apparently if you miss a test outside of your window, it still counts as missed. I'm like, I guess I can't go pick up my kids," Williams said. She added that the system is "necessary" but believes players should have more flexibility to attend to personal commitments without penalties.
Williams' comments come amid scrutiny of the anti-doping system, particularly after Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, was suspended for four years for refusing a test. The ITIA responded to Williams' remarks, clarifying that only missed tests within the allocated hour count as strikes, while missed tests outside the window do not.
Williams also revealed that the anti-doping requirements were a significant factor in her decision to return to tennis. "That was a big reason why I didn't want to come back either because it's just so hard. I mean, my life is busy. I run a company, I run a VC company, I travel the world. I have children. It's like I could be in so many different cities so many different times," she said.
Williams will compete in the women's singles at Wimbledon, her first appearance since 2022, and will also partner with her sister Venus in the doubles event for the first time since 2016.