Federer In Favor Of Increased Drug Testing

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 6th November 2012

Federer In Favor Of Increased Drug Testing

INDIAN WELLS, CA - MARCH 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland fields questions at a press conference during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 10, 2011 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) |

Roger Federer says he is in favor of more blood testing in tennis, backing up Andy Murray, who has said that the ITF and WADA do a fair amount of drug testing, but that they could do more.

ITF data shows that in 2011, only 18 male specimens were collected through out-of-competition blood testing. Blood testing is considered to be more reliable than collecting urine specimens.

“I feel I’m being less tested now than six, seven, eight years ago,” Federer said. “I don’t know the reasons we are being tested less and I agree with Andy, we don’t do a lot of blood testing during the year. I’m OK having more of that.”

There are financial issues involved in increasing testing. Federer underwent four to six out-of-competition and one to three in-competition tests during 2011.

“I just think it’s important to have enough tests out there,” Federer said. “I don’t like it when I’m only getting tested whatever number it is, which I don’t think is enough or sufficient during the year. I think we should up it a little bit, or a lot – whatever you want to call it – because I think it’s key and vital that the sport stays clean. It’s got to. We have a good history in terms of that and we want to make sure that it stays that way.”

Novak Djokovic backed up Federer and Murray. “I agree,” he said. “We are trying to make this sport as clean as possible, as fair as possible for everybody, so I have nothing against testing and, why not, we should do it more.”

Two weeks ago, WTA players Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova both said that they felt they were tested enough.