Tennis is a sport that demands extraordinary physical and mental endurance, leading some players to seek an edge in their performances. In fact, several high-profile tennis stars have faced accusations of doping. Whether proven guilty or left surrounded by speculation, here are 11 tennis stars who were forced to address the drama.
Marin Čilić
Marin Čilić tested positive for nikethamide in 2013, though he claimed the positive test came after taking glucose tablets. Initially handed a nine-month suspension, his ban was later reduced to four months.
Richard Gasquet
French tennis star Richard Gasquet faced suspension in 2009 after testing positive for cocaine. Gasquet claimed the substance entered his system after he kissed a woman at a nightclub and the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted his explanation.
Viktor Troicki
Viktor Troicki was banned for 18 months (later reduced to 12) in 2013 after he failed to provide a blood sample during a doping test. Troicki claimed he had been feeling unwell and that a doping control officer said it was OK to skip the test, but he was still punished.
Guillermo Cañas
In 2005, Argentine player Guillermo Cañas was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for a diuretic, which is often used to mask other substances. Cañas maintained his innocence and his suspension was later reduced to 15 months.
Simona Halep
In 2022, Simona Halep tested positive for Roxadustat, a banned substance that stimulates red blood cell production. She denied intentionally using the drug but still ended up with a lengthy ban. However, her sentence was reduced to just nine months and she was cleared to play earlier this year.
Martina Hingis
In 2007, Martina Hingis tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon. And, while Hingis denied using the drug, she did retire shortly after the allegations surfaced to avoid a lengthy legal battle.
Maria Sharapova
In 2016, Maria Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, a substance that was banned at the start of that year. While she claimed she had been using the drug for years for medical reasons and was unaware of its recent prohibition, she still received a two-year suspension (which was later reduced to 15 months).
Barbora Strýcová
Czech player Barbora Strýcová was suspended for six months in 2013 after testing positive for sibutramine, a banned stimulant. Strýcová claimed the substance was in a weight-loss product she had been using, but she still accepted her punishment without contest.
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Wayne Odesnik
In 2010, Australian customs officials caught Wayne Odesnik in possession of human growth hormone (HGH). And, while Odesnik denied using the substance, he still received a two-year ban.
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Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi was never accused of doping to enhance his performance, but he did admit in his autobiography, Open, that he used crystal methamphetamine during his career. In fact, he even revealed he lied to tennis authorities to avoid suspension.
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Jannik Sinner
Italian star Jannik Sinner tested positive for clostebol, which is a prohibited substance. No punishment was handed down, as Sinner explained his physiotherapist had treated a cut on his finger with a spray that contained clostebol and gave him a bare-handed massage, which allowed the drug to enter his bloodstream.
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