“Three no shows can get pretty fast” – Medvedev on anti-doping system after Brooksby controversy

The Russian talked about the dangers of missed doping tests following Brooksby’s suspension from the tour

2nd July 2023; All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England: Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Practice Day; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) || 271590_0070 2023 All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club association england grand slam GRASS LAWN LONDON LTA PRACTICE SPORTING sports SW19 tennis

Jamie Malachy

July 7, 2023

Daniil Medvedev has spoken candidly about tennis’ anti-doping system, and the dangers that befall players who are not diligent enough in their response to testing requests.

He was asked in a context when Jenson Brooksby accepted a provisional suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency on Wednesday after being accused of missing three doping tests in a 12-month period.

Speaking during his post-match press conference after his straight sets win in the second round of Wimbledon, Mdvedev revealed that he had flirted with danger of suspension himself, following two missed doping tests.

“I myself had one time two missed tests. It was the first year I was on the ADAMS system. It’s not easy. You forget to change the time slot. One missed test. Three can get pretty fast.

“I had two for a long time. I made sure I’m not going to miss one more. It’s not going to be possible that I’m going to miss one more. Since then I don’t think I have ever missed one.”

“Imagine you’re not married and you decide to sleep at your girlfriend who’s one hour away from your home, and you decide at the last moment. You forget to change the time slot. One missed test. Three (no shows) can get pretty fast.”

Daniil Medvedev, Roland-Garros 2023 – © CHRYSLENE CAILLAUD / Panoramic

The side effect of this is that sometimes you see players in the locker room, then you have stories like many players.
Daniil Medvedev

“Regarding Brooksby case, but I heard from my coaches that he says they didn’t knock on the right door and something like this,” Medvedev added.

The Russian also seemed to allude to cases where a player has been suspended for ingesting a substance unknowingly, and it some cases these substances may not actually enhance physical performance.

This issue is of particular pertinence in tennis currently, as one of the WTA’s biggest names Simona Halep is still serving a suspension from the tour while investigations into a positive test for Roxadustat are ongoing.

In this case, Halep is adamant that the Roxadustat was ingested unknowingly.

“The side effect of this is that sometimes you see players in the locker room, then you have stories like many players, I don’t even going to say names,” Medvedev added.

“Then you see they have, like, maybe I’m not sure exactly what I’m saying, but five milligrams of one prohibited substance, where even anti-doping in some cases says this couldn’t affect your performance.”