Emma Raducanu says she refused to treat insect bites because of fear of possible anti-doping risk, amid recent controversies

Emma Raducanu says she's become quite sensitive about what goes into her system because of the fear of failing a drug test in Melbourne.

Emma Raducanu says she refused to treat insect bites because of fear of possible anti-doping risk, amid recent controversies

Emma Raducanu (Image via X)

Last year, the tennis world witnessed two top players failing a doping test, and that has been a huge blow to the sport’s reputation. Emma Raducanu, who has had an inconsistent season with injuries recently opened up about not treating herself well because of fears regarding anti-doping.

The British star said she refused to use an antiseptic spray after an allergic reaction to being bitten by an insect or mosquito. The 22-year-old’s hand and ankle swelled up due to the bite, but she allowed it to heal by itself rather than risk taking medications that could possibly cause her to fail a drug test ahead of the 2025 Australian Open.

I would say all of us are probably quite sensitive to what we take onboard, what we use. I mean, yesterday, for example, I got really badly bitten by I don’t know what, like ants, mosquitoes, something. I’m allergic, I guess. They flared up and swelled up really a lot. Someone was, like, giving me this antiseptic spray, natural, to try to ease the bites. I didn’t want to take it. I didn’t want to spray it. I was just like left there with my swollen ankle and hand. I was, like, I’m just going to tough it out because I don’t want to risk it.

Emma Raducanu said via Australian Open Press

Raducanu’s fears are as a result of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek‘s doping scandal in 2024. Sinner tested positive for clostebol twice in March. He defended himself stating that his former physio Giacomo Naldi massaged him with a cut in his hand using an out-of-counter spray. Five-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek failed a doping test in August and served a one-month suspension after accepting medication to combat jet lag which was contaminated with trimetazidine.

Sinner’s doping case was appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)in September last year. The sports anti-doping body believes that Sinner is responsible for clostebol entering his system. They are also demanding that the World No.1 be banned from tennis for at least one year.

Emma Raducanu is confident of winning matches at the Australian Open despite recent inactivity

Emma Raducanu added Maria Sharapova’s former fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, to her team to help her improve her physical fitness and resilience. However, she pulled out from the Auckland Open which was scheduled as a warm-up tournament ahead of the Australian Open. During the aforementioned press conference, she revealed that the problem was the spasm she suffered while training in London.

Emma Raducanu (6)
Emma Raducanu (Image via X)

Nonetheless, she has arrived in Melbourne and she’s training hard for the Australian Open. But some fear playing only ten competitive matches since July may hurt her on the court at the Grand Slam event.

I’ve been playing sets with top players. I’m feeling like I’m holding my own more than okay in those instances and practices. I feel pretty good with my game. I’m looking forward to putting it on the match court. I think I can be a dangerous opponent for anyone really.

Emma Raducanu said

Raducanu has been handed a very tough draw at the Australian Open. She will play 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round. She’s likely to face Iga Swiatek in the third round if she progresses to that stage.