Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu has revealed she refrained from treating insect bites due to fears of ingesting contaminated substances, highlighting the growing caution among players regarding anti-doping regulations. Raducanu’s comments come amid ongoing doping controversies involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu’s Cautious Approach
Speaking ahead of her Australian Open campaign, where she faces a challenging first-round match against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, Raducanu shared an incident involving allergic reactions to insect bites. Despite experiencing significant swelling, she opted against using an antiseptic spray offered to her.
“I was badly bitten by something—ants, mosquitoes, I’m not sure—and the bites swelled up quite a lot,” the 22-year-old said. “Someone gave me a natural antiseptic spray to help, but I didn’t want to use it. I decided to tough it out because I didn’t want to take any risks.”
Raducanu added that players are increasingly vigilant about the substances they consume or apply. “We’re all sensitive about what we use and take on board. Even with small things like this, you have to be cautious.”
High-Profile Doping Cases
Raducanu’s concerns reflect the heightened awareness among players following high-profile doping cases in tennis. Last year, Iga Swiatek tested positive for a prohibited heart medication. While the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acknowledged that her violation was unintentional, the Polish star received a one-month suspension.
Jannik Sinner, the defending Australian Open champion, faced a similar ordeal after testing positive twice for traces of clostebol, a banned steroid. Sinner claimed the substance entered his system through a spray used by his physiotherapist to treat a cut. The ITIA accepted his explanation and cleared him of wrongdoing, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has since appealed the decision. The case is set to be reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April.
Managing the Risks
Raducanu expressed the shared apprehension among players about unintentional doping violations. “It’s a concern for all of us. We’re trying our best to control what we can, but if something out of our control happens, proving innocence becomes a struggle,” she said.
With heightened scrutiny around doping protocols, players like Raducanu are opting for extra caution to avoid even inadvertent breaches, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in the sport.
