“You feel like in prison,” Casper Ruud criticizes ITF’s doping regulations as he comments on Jenson Brooksby’s case

Casper Ruud recently stood up for Jenson Brooksby following his 18-month ban that was imposed by the ITIA.

“You feel like in prison,” Casper Ruud criticizes ITF’s doping regulations as he comments on Jenson Brooksby’s case

Casper Ruud (L), Jenson Brooksby (R) (Sources: The Mirror, Tennis World USA)

Jenson Brooskby was recently handed an 18-month ban by the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Association) for missing three back-to-back drug tests in a 12-month span.

The American player himself admitted to missing the first and third tests in context but revealed that the second time was the result of a communication error from both parties. 

YouTube video

Of course, Jenson Brooksby made a formal appeal against the ban that had been imposed on him. However, unfortunately, it has not been heard, and he will have to serve the 18-month ban period. 

FS Video

Furthermore, many fans and prominent players have voiced their opinions regarding this situation, saying that it was unfair to the American tennis player. Norwegian player Casper Ruud has now been added to that list. 

I think the punishment is too long.. 18 months, you lose almost like three years of your career because 18 months is a year & a half. Then it'll take you about a year or more to.. obviously he's good enough to come back to the Top 100. He's a good enough player but you're not just gonna win every tournament you come back to the top 100.
Casper Ruud said via Eurosports

Casper Ruud recently suffered a major shock himself as he got knocked out by Francisco Cerundolo in the round of 32 of the Paris Masters. It is really disappointing, especially considering the fact that the Norwegian player was the eighth seed in the 2023 Paris Masters. 

Casper Ruud says the doping test procedure feels like a prison 

Casper Ruud has also gone a step further to question the entire drug test procedure that athletes currently have to go through. He said that it almost feels like prison and that the miscommunication that happened in the case of Jenson Brooksby was very common. 

Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud (Source: Tennisnet.com)

He said: 

Let's say I wake up during the night at like 6:15, I wake up by myself because I have to pee so much. You're kind of thinking oh maybe the doping control will come up at 7 so maybe I shouldn't go because I want to save it. If I go & empty my bladder at 6:15 maybe I won't get to pee until like 10. You cannot just pee whenever you want.

He further added that it’s smart not to pee right before they might come so it’s just a little stressful in some situations.

This is why I feel sometimes you live in like under watch or like in prison because you can, of course. But it's smart not to pee like right before they might come so it's just a little stressful in some situations.

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