New anti-doping rules for tennis

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced new anti-doping rules that will take effect on January 1, 2027. These changes remove an exemption that allowed players in the registered testing pool (RTP) to avoid declaring a one-hour daily time slot during tournaments.

Exemption removal explained

The exemption was previously allowed due to the unpredictable nature of tennis schedules, but the ITIA stated that this will no longer be possible for tennis or other sports starting in 2027. This change aims to make drug testing more consistent and predictable.

Reorganization of player groups

To adjust for the new rules, the ITIA plans to reorganize the distribution of players in its control groups. About 80% of the players currently in the RTP group will move to an expanded control group where declaring a daily 60-minute time slot will not be mandatory.

Testing requirements for remaining players

Players remaining in the reduced RTP group will now have to specify a daily time and location where they can be tested, including during tournaments. The ITIA emphasized that the total number of players in both groups and the volume and frequency of tests will remain stable.

Player notifications and group secrecy

Players will be informed of their new status in November 2026, and the public list will not disclose the exact group to which each player belongs. This change aims to protect player privacy while ensuring compliance with testing protocols.

More protection for unintentional cases

The new rules also provide more protection for players who can prove a positive test resulted from unintentional contamination, such as from medications, food, drinks, or environmental exposure. This includes greater flexibility for certain sanctions, especially for recreational drug cases not related to athletic performance enhancement.

Therapeutic use exemptions process

Therapeutic use exemptions must now be submitted directly to the ITIA, with some exemptions already granted by national agencies needing a recognition procedure. This aims to standardize the process across all sports and ensure fairness.

Clarification urged by ITIA officials

Nicole Sapstead, head of anti-doping at the ITIA, urged players and their teams to seek clarification if they have any doubts about the new rules. She emphasized the importance of understanding the changes to avoid potential violations.

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