I’m a tennis nobody, but I’ve LOVED this game since I was a kid. Catching the tennis “bug” convinced me to give up baseball. Nothing compares to the thrill of hitting that perfect shot. Nothing compares to watching amazing athletes play the greatest points of all time under unbelievable pressure.
I recently came across Federer/Nadal 5th set at the Australian Open from a few years ago—Fed’s last major win. Remember that flicked forehand down the line, hit from almost behind him in the forehand corner after a mammoth rally? I had to watch it a couple of times. Fantastic!
A Calling
But this isn’t a post to celebrate the game. This is a calling. It’s time for legends and players to unify and speak out.
Two world number ones caught doping? This is Barry Bonds-level enormity. The game we love is facing a historic crisis. Let’s talk about it.
A player’s own pharmacist gives a known PED only absorbed by touch to the player’s masseuse? This is a cream so known for doping that it actually says “DOPING” on the box with a red circle. Oh, and several of your fellow countrymen have gotten caught and SUSPENDED for using it. Let’s keep some around the house, shall we?
And what about a common sleep aid? My kids use melatonin sometimes—basic grocery store stuff. How does an athlete end up using a version laced with PEDs? I’ve read that in Poland it’s considered medication, so maybe it can’t be bought at the grocery store. Ok, so did you get it from the pharmacy? That’s historically, unbelievably unlucky and should be a lawsuit. Of all of the millions of chemical compounds in this world, what are the odds that your melatonin got laced with a PED? Wow! Play the lottery on that lot number. Oh, wait, where did you get it from? A doctor recommends melatonin for sleep and stress and you go to a pharmaceutical company? Because elite athletes need elite melatonin?
It cannot be this hard to not accidentally use PEDs.
Only YOU Can Fix It
This issue won’t be fixed by the governing bodies. They’re about profit and PR, not integrity. They’ll sweep it under the rug unless YOU demand change.
The legends and players of the game are the only ones who can fix this mess. You brought us the beauty of tennis; now it’s time to protect it. Here’s what it takes. Kafelnikov’s recent posts nailed it!
- No excuses. No wild stories. No exceptions. YOU are responsible for what goes into your body. Period. Lifetime ban!
- Bridge too far? More penalties that matter:
- Loss of all ranking points. The player must requalify for every tournament without receiving wildcards.
- Titles stripped. Trophies, points, and prize money are awarded to the runner-up.
- A complete ban from tennis-related endorsements or participation. Players caught doping should not profit from or represent the sport in any capacity. Make it as tough as possible.
Last Call
None of this will work without strict enforcement. The current bans should really be enough of a deterrent, but they haven’t been. Players have been allowed to skate by, and it’s killing the game.
If you don’t fix the no excuses issue, the rest crumbles. This is a last call—for the legends, the players, and even media and announcers. They have to put the integrity of the sport above profits and ratings.
Do it for the kids. Do it for the next generation. They shouldn’t grow up believing that cheating is the only way to the top. Who’s with me?
