The evidence suggests Serena Williams is not being discriminated against by Drug-Test
Serena Williams is a well known advocate for 'clean sport'. For any athlete to be effective in such a role, it is important to comprehend how anti-doping programs work. Misunderstandings of the drug-testing process can lead to mis-perceptions about fairness between different athletes or across sports.
Williams has been a part of this complex and evolving anti-doping process since turning professional back in 1995. Earlier this year, however, she became frustrated with what she regards as inequities in the system. Just before the French Open in May 2018, Williams informed her Twitter followers:
And...... just like that anti doping is here ....again... second time this week. proud to participate to keep the sport clean. Even if they do test me at my current ranking of 454 in the world. Two times every week #BeingSerena
At the time, Williams had recently returned to tennis after having a baby and suffering post-birth health complications. Her low ranking did not reflect a decline in ability rather, she had been out of the game. In other words, Williams was hardly a typical low-ranked player.
Then, just before the start of Wimbledon in late June, an article in Deadspin revealed that Williams had been tested five times by the USADA in 2018, which was more than twice that of other top American women players.
Williams responded to the report at Wimbledon by saying that she didn’t know she had been tested “three times more in some cases five times more than everyone else”, but emphasised she was fine with this amount of testing as long as the system was being equitably applied. A spokesperson later released a statement that made clear she felt she was being unfairly singled out:
...and it’s that time of the day to get “randomly” drug tested and only test Serena. Out of all the players it’s been proven I’m the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so. At least I’ll be keeping the sport clean #StayPositive
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