Alexander Zverev criticizes ‘annoying’ doping control authorities for taking away ‘freedom to live’
Alexander Zverev is in Madrid to bid for his second title of the season following his victory at the BMW Open.
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Alexander Zverev (Image via X/Quindici Zero)
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) recently announced that they have made it mandatory for the players to shower in front of the chaperones representing the anti-doping bodies. This rule sparked controversy as many called this step unnecessary.
Tennis great Chris Evert and Serena Williams‘ former coach Rennae Stubbs too took a dig at the ITIA as they revealed that before this mandate, players were always asked to shower before the doping control authorities before drug tests. Alexander Zverev, ahead of his Madrid Open first-round match, expressed his frustration against the doping control authorities.
He narrated an incident that happened last December. The German stated that the doping control authorities came at a random time instead of the assigned time slot.
My slot was at 7 or 8 a.m., and they came at 9 p.m. They called me and said, ‘You have to come back.’ I said, ‘I can’t, I have to pick up a three-year-old.’ And they said, ‘No, you have to come back. Come back, no matter what.’ It’s even more annoying because it’s as if they’re taking away a little of our freedom to live.
Alexander Zverev said during his pre-tournament press conference
The ITIA made quite a lot of headlines across the world in recent years. Former World No.1 Simona Halep, who was initially given a four-year ban by the ITIA was successful in reducing it to nine months after her appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
After serving her ban, she made her comeback at the Miami Open in March last year. That same month, World No.1 Jannik Sinner failed the drug test as clostebol was found in his system, and it was announced by the ITIA in August.
In August, the banned substance trimetazidine was found in World No.2 Iga Swiatek‘s sample. Their getting ‘lenient’ punishment sparked a backlash as many thought the two top players received preferential treatment due to the no-fault or negligence verdict handed to them by the ITIA.
While Swiatek served her one-month ban, Sinner was handed a three-month suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after both sides reached a case resolution. He will make his comeback at the Italian Open.
Rafael Nadal backs Alexander Zverev to win his first Grand Slam title
Rafael Nadal recently attended the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday (April 21). The Spaniard, who hung up his racket at the 2024 Davis Cup, was honored with the Sporting Icon of the Year Award.
There he was asked about Alexander Zverev’s career. Zverev is one of the best players at present but the Grand Slam title has eluded him. The 22-time Major champion backed him to end his Major drought.
He had a few tough months after Australia, but he’s bounced back. The win in Munich was an important moment for him. It was a turning point for him to get back to his top level.
Rafael Nadal told Sky Sports
Zverev is a three-time Grand Slam finalist, last reaching a Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. But he succumbed to a straight-set defeat to Jannik Sinner who defended his crown and became a three-time Grand Slam champion.
Following the Australian Open heartbreak, Sascha produced mediocre performances in the next six tournaments he played, failing to win more than two matches. He finally ended his trophy drought by beating Ben Shelton at the BMW Open, winning his first title since the 2024 Paris Masters.
Alexander Zverev to lock horns with Nuno Borges or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Madrid Open
Alexander Zverev entered the Madrid Open to bid for his third title in the tournament, having lifted it in 2018 and 2021. He got off to a strong start, beating Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.
The 28-year-old is now waiting for the second round match between Nuno Borges and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Zverev holds a 4-1 head-to-head record over the Spaniard, while against the Portuguese ace, he is 1-0.
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