“Players are urged to understand the risks”: ATP and WTA stars warned about meat consumption during Asian-swing

The ATP and WTA stars have been warned by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to be cautious with their diets while competing in Asia, where contaminated meat could contain banned substances. The alert comes as players travel to the region for a series of tournaments following the US Open, highlighting how even everyday meals can pose a threat to their careers.

The concern is not new: certain countries have been associated with livestock treated with substances prohibited under anti-doping regulations. As a result, the ITIA has taken proactive steps to remind athletes that vigilance is essential during competition. “Players are urged to understand the risks of eating meat in these countries (China, Mexico and Guatemala) during tournaments and seek other sources of protein (such as plant-based, or fish) where possible.”

The emphasis is on prevention, since a positive test—even if unintentional—can lead to suspensions, reputational damage, and significant career setbacks. For tennis professionals, the margins between success and disaster are razor-thin, and nutrition plays a critical role. Beyond performance, it is also a matter of protecting their eligibility to compete.

That is why the ITIA’s message extends beyond simple warnings, offering practical solutions for players traveling internationally. “And the ITIA have explained that athletes should try to consume meat only from the tournament venue and hotel, ask about the source of meat if possible and eat with other players.”

By following this guidance, players can minimize the risks of accidental doping violations while staying focused on their matches. The warning underscores how global tennis is not only about adapting to different courts and conditions, but also about navigating the challenges of food safety. For ATP and WTA athletes, awareness and caution are as vital off the court as their preparation on it.

The situation recalls the doping case of British player Tara Moore – who back in 2022, during a tournament in Bogotá, Colombia, tested positive for boldenone and nandrolone, along with her Chilean colleague Bárbara Gatica. Both were provisionally suspended, but after more than a year of suspension, an independent tribunal determined that they bore no fault or negligence, since the substances came from contaminated meat.

However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency appealed, and in 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ultimately imposed a four-year ban, ruling that Moore had not sufficiently proven that the detected levels corresponded to that explanation.

It was also the case of Colombian tennis player Robert Farah – former doubles world No. 1 – who likewise claimed to have eaten contaminated meat in Colombia. He was provisionally suspended before being cleared in 2020, after proving that the contamination had indeed come from Colombian meat.

The Asian swing has a total of 6 tournaments for men, including the Shanghai Masters as the main event, and up to 12 tournaments for women, including two WTA 1000s (Beijing and Wuhan), in addition to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals (Shenzhen) and the WTA Finals (Riyadh).

In fact, the first Asian WTA 1000 will be played this week at the China Open in Beijing, where all the great stars of the WTA will be present—excepting the confirmed absence of Aryna Sabalenka, who withdrew from the tournament to extend her rest period before her return in Wuhan two weeks later. Nonetheless, stars like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova will lead the tournament, which is also awaiting the return to the courts of players like Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa.