“That is a lot,” Holger Rune reveals number of times he was drug tested in 2024
World No. 13 Holger Rune said he was drug tested a lot of times this year, especially before the Paris Olympics.
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Holger Rune (Image via X)
While the two doping incidents involving high-profile players Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner shook the tennis world, Holger Rune revealed how many times he has been tested this year. Ahead of the UTS Grand Final, the Dane explained the importance of drug tests.
Just about three months after Sinner’s doping case, the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) report of Swiatek failing the drug test surprised all. Swiatek, who faced a one-month ban was provisionally suspended because of which she missed three tournaments on the Asian swing.
After investigation, the ITIA declared that Swiatek bore ‘no fault or negligence’ as she was contaminated because of melatonin which had the banned drug trimetazidine (TMZ). Sinner’s case was different as clostebol contaminated him because of his then physio who used a spray that contained the banned drug.
Rune said that despite taking a lot of care, the innocent players end up consuming the banned drugs accidentally.
We had a lot of doping control this year. Before the Olympics this year, I had around 20 (test) and that is a lot, but they are doing everything to keep the sport clean, which is very, very important. I take a lot of care about the supplements I take like every player, but it can be unfortunate or it can be something else (if you test positive).
Holger Rune told the media ahead of the UTS Grand Final
While Swiatek can now breathe a sigh of relief, Sinner cannot yet, for he still waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) judgment after the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) intervention.
Holger Rune explains how he tries to avoid getting contaminated
If innocent players are banned for failing drug tests, sometimes it ruins their careers. Every player takes care of what they are consuming and Holger Rune revealed what he does to protect himself from contamination.
Personally, I always take care of what I eat and drink. If I leave a drink anywhere, I never pick it up again. You have to protect yourself where you can to make sure I can do what I can to do what I love and that’s play tennis every day.
Holger Rune told the media
Rune’s season on the ATP Tour ended after his semifinal defeat to eventual champion Alexander Zverev at the Paris Masters. The four-time singles winner did not win any trophy this season and had a 45-23 win-loss record.
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Gouri Das
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