Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner were the lead cases last year as well as Simona Halep for contaminations that led to players serving doping bans. Aryna Sabalenka is now wary to the point that she won't drink from a bottle she has left and only eats certain foods.
Speaking ahead of the Madrid Open, Sabalenka said that it was to do with the last cases and she has now become concerned about what she is now consuming.
“I mean, after the last cases, honestly, I became more over-protective with stuff I'm eating and drinking,” the world No. 1 said during her press conference.
“Like, for example, even with the water, like I wouldn't drink, like if I would leave the bottle of water open in the hotel or even here and left for few minutes and come back I would take the new bottle.
“So it became a bit, like, too concerned, I would say. Yeah, I have to be very careful with what you're eating.”
She said that the whole tour has become more aware now as Swiatek took jet lag medicine which saw her banned, Sinner was rubbed with cream by his physio and Halep a collagen supplement. All three high profile in the last two years and have a lasting effect. Something which Sabalenka would've seen with Swiatek with the latter surrendering her World No.1 spot of sorts to Sabalenka as a result.
"Honestly, it's tricky, and I think everyone is aware of this stuff and everyone is trying to make sure that nothing is being touched and everything is clean and simple and, yeah, nothing can be in your food or in your drink
“Yeah, it's quite scary, to be honest. I think the older you get, the more time you're on tour, you're getting over-protective with the stuff.
“Making sure that no one can touch your supplements or your bottle of water or your food.”
She has so many talents 😄🏀⛹️♀️ pic.twitter.com/MJb5c7Ipax
— News Aryna Sabalenka (@Sabanewsss) April 23, 2025
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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