A Possible ITF Doping Rule Change Might Be In The Offing

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 3rd October 2013

Davis Cup quarter finals - Croatia VS Serbia

A Possible ITF Doping Rule Change Might Be In The Offing

epa02242924 Serbian Coach Obradovic talks to his player Viktor Troicki during a break in the match against Croat Marin Cilic, in their Davis Cup's quarter final tennis match in Split, Croatia, 09 July 2010. EPA/ANTONIO BAT |

The International Tennis Federation’s anti-doping policy has again been brought sharply into focus following the two high-profile suspensions of Serbia’s Viktor Troicki and Croatian Marin Cilic. Now the Troicki case in particular seems set to cause a change in the rules according to Dr. Stuart Miller, the ITF’s Executive Director of Science and Technology.

Troicki maintained he was unsure of rules surrounding his responsibilities when he refused to take a blood test at April’s Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, claiming he was unwell.

The 27 year-old Serbian Davis Cup winner claimed the doping control officer on site in Monte Carlo agreed he could take the blood test the next day. She in fact refuted this claim and the ITF accepted her evidence, so maintaining the ban.

Now Dr Miller has told CNN: “The tennis anti-doping rules are likely to be changed in 2014 to say that, where a player refuses or fails to provide a sample (as Mr. Troicki did), the doping control officer should try to offer the player an opportunity to speak to the event supervisor or referee to confirm the player’s responsibilities under the program.

“I think it’s fair to say that the Troicki case highlighted the issue. Given this only happened in 2013, I think it’s looking at the problem pretty quickly and trying to find a solution.”

Troicki will take his case to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne in six days’ time on October 9. “I am fighting for the truth and I will do it as hard as I can,” he said.

“I feel confident. Reading all the papers of the previous trial in London, I can’t understand why I have been sanctioned, especially this hard. I have done nothing wrong, apart from following the instructions of the doping control officer. I really put all my hopes in the judges that will decide in Lausanne. I hope they take their time and that they really find the truth. I don’t even want to think about anything else.”

Topics: Davis Cup, International Tennis Federation, Marin Cilic, Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, Viktor Troicki

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ChuckVine says:

October 3, 2013 at 9:04 am

Miller is a joke. RT“@10sBalls_com: A Possible ITF Doping Rule Change Might Be In The Offing: http://t.co/eG6MlOpdih”
TiSportsMktg says:

October 3, 2013 at 9:05 am

RT“@10sBalls_com: A Possible ITF Doping Rule Change Might Be In The Offing: http://t.co/gJqnR0i9OR” @greenesportslaw
greenesportslaw says:

October 3, 2013 at 9:32 am

RT @TiSportsMktg: RT“@10sBalls_com: A Possible ITF Doping Rule Change Might Be In The Offing: http://t.co/gJqnR0i9OR” @greenesportslaw