COLUMN: ITIA putting integrity at stake with directives lacking common sense

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has faced severe criticism for its role in recent developments. In recent times, the body has had the sole purpose of ensuring that rules and regulations are followed in the true spirit to maintain the sport's integrity.

However, things have taken a turn for the worse for the organisation. It all started with the doping scandals involving two world number ones — Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. The ITIA declared the three-time Grand Slam winner Sinner innocent following a detailed hearing where his counsel claimed that the substance was available in the player’s sample because he came in close contact with his physio, Naldi, who used to spray for the treatment of a cut on his finger. His misery, however, continued as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to appeal the verdict. The case concluded after both Sinner and WADA agreed that the player would stay out of action for three months and would return to the court just before the start of the Rome Masters in May.

In addition to that, women’s world number two Iga Swiatek was handed just a three-month ban after she tested positive in a dope test. Recently, ITIA came out with a weird directive issued to the players to take a shower before undergoing a doping test. The statement stated that players deciding to take a shower before giving a sample must be aware of the consequences.

“Showering is not a right and it is for this reason that the ITIA kindly requests that the player remains in sight of the supervisor who is monitoring them at all times while showering. If a player does not feel comfortable with this, we suggest that they consider whether a shower is really necessary before providing a doping sample. Failure to remain in sight of the supervisor will be treated extremely seriously by the ITIA,” read the statement. “We recognise that parts of the anti-doping testing process are uncomfortable, but as with all sports subject to World Anti-Doping Agency rules, not just tennis, players subject to doping control are always observed by an anti-doping monitor. This is a requirement of the anti-doping rules. We regularly remind players of specific rules and are happy to answer any questions they may have.”

Such statements have made a mockery of the institution whose role should have been more about ensuring that the sport is played in the right spirit. These statements also show that the ITIA, as an organisation, is not focused towards dealing with the real issues and instead they are focused on issues which have little or no impact on the integrity of the sport.