New anti-doping rules for tennis

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has introduced new anti-doping regulations that will come into effect on January 1, 2027. These rules aim to increase transparency and accountability in drug testing for athletes in tennis and other sports.

Changes to daily testing windows

A key change is the removal of a waiver that allowed players to avoid declaring a daily one-hour window during tournaments. This exemption, which was previously granted due to the unpredictable nature of match schedules, will no longer apply to tennis or other sports under the new rules.

Reorganization of testing groups

Approximately 80 percent of players currently in the registered testing pool (RTP) will be moved to an expanded testing group where declaring a daily 60-minute window will no longer be mandatory. However, those remaining in the smaller RTP group will now have to report a specific time and place daily where they can be tested, including during tournaments.

Protection for unintentional contamination

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

Process for therapeutic use exemptions

Requests for therapeutic use exemptions must now be submitted directly to the ITIA, rather than through national agencies. Some exemptions already granted by national agencies will be recognized through a formal procedure established by the ITIA.

Communication with players

Players will be individually informed of their new status in November 2026. The ITIA will not publish a public list that identifies which group each player belongs to. Nicole Sapstead, the ITIA’s chief anti-doping officer, encouraged players and their teams to seek clarity, stating, "Our message is simple: if you have a doubt, ask the question."