Serena Williams comeback: Seven-time Wimbledon champion says doping protocol almost stopped her comeback

Every active player is subject to out-of-competition testing.

But those in the testing pool – which is mainly made up of the top 100 singles, doubles and wheelchair players as well as returning athletes – must tell the testers where they will be for every one hour.

A player who misses three out-of-competition tests within a 12-month period after contacting a tester may be sanctioned.

Williams claimed there were “new rules”, but the ITIA said the surrounding protocols had not changed since she “evolved away” from tennis in September 2024.

“It’s unprofessional. I hate it. I think it’s necessary, but I think a lot of things, if I want to go outside my window, I can go without it being counted as a missed exam,” Williams said.

American player Jenson Brooksby was banned for 18 months for missing three Tests, although his suspension was later reduced to 13 months by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

The ITIA said no-notice testing is a “fundamental pillar of an effective anti-doping program”.

Many players have expressed their concerns about the process, highlighting the stress they say the system causes them.

Two-time US Open finalist Jessica Pegula said last year that she knows many players who “can’t sleep” because they fear missing a test, while recent French Open champion Alexander Zverev described how he was called back to his home in Monte Carlo by testers while driving his daughter to Nice airport.

Now Williams is also complaining that her personal liberties are being taken away by the process.

He doesn’t mind because he loves tennis but “it’s getting back to the routine of reporting every day”.

Williams added: “I guess where I’m going to be for 24 hours now is just different – at least for me. I don’t know if it works for everyone else.”

The ITIA said the rules were not designed to “trip up players”.

In a statement to BBC Sport, it added: “We understand the system may seem challenging, but it is there to protect players.

“If players are unsure or have questions, we welcome conversations with them directly or through their agents.”

Last week, the 2023 Wimbledon champion was handed to Marketa Vondrosova. A four-year ban for refusing to take a doping test.

Although the ITIA said the rules had no choice but to recommend that she receive that penalty, Vondrosova received support from fellow players who thought it was too severe.

French Open semifinalist Marta Kostyuk was among the critics of the length of the ban.

The controversy surrounding Vondrusova’s ban – and now Williams’ comments – is about how there is often friction between players and the bodies they try to ensure compete in a fair game.

“There are always two sides to every story – what the players say and what the ITIA says – but I just try to follow the rules,” Kostyuk told BBC Sport.