Serena Williams calls anti-doping tests 'grueling' ahead of Wimbledon

sportsJun 28, 202635310

Serena Williams criticized tennis' anti-doping regime as "unprofessional" and "unreasonable," saying the testing process is "grueling" and that the protocols nearly discouraged her from making a surprise comeback to Wimbledon. Williams is preparing to play both singles and doubles at Wimbledon at age 44, a return commentators have framed as a high-profile comeback. Her remarks came as she publicly weighed the demands of testing alongside the decision to enter the Championships, with coverage noting the protocols almost put her off returning. The comments have drawn attention because they come during her buildup to Wimbledon, where she will appear in the tournament draw and on Centre Court early in the event.

A K

@aklingus.bsky.social

People see shit like this and still don’t understand how true the Serena Williams tweet is bsky.app/profile/carc...

11646d ago

A K66

Yes, this is the one I mean bsky.app/profile/drew...

Gary Alexander4

comparing this to declan rice throwing a baseball with his elbow during the england camp, and nodding "proper form matters"

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

Skier Lindsey Vonn has a special understanding of what Serena Williams is going through as she prepares to play both singles and doubles at Wimbledon at age 44.

4945d ago

Quoting this

Oliver Grimm2

Lindsay Vonn seamlessly moving from skiing to playing tennis (at Wimbledon!) is quite an athletic feat.

The Tennis Letter

@thetennisletter.bsky.social

Serena Williams on her friendship with Grigor Dimitrov: "I always call Grigor my bestie. He's definitely my guy bestie. He gets my crazy & I get his crazy. And believe me, he's way crazier than I am 😂. He's so good hearted and good natured." ❤️ (via Wimbledon Press)

5645d ago

The Athletic

@theathletic.com

Wimbledon 2026 starts on Monday. 🎾 The return of Serena Williams 🎾 Jannik Sinner seeks to defend his title 🎾 Novak Djokovic searches for more tennis history Here are 30 players to watch in London this year.

2145d ago

Carole Bouchard

@carolebouchard.bsky.social

Serena Williams vs Maya Joint to be played on third rotation on Centre Court on Tuesday. Swiatek - Townsend and Fritz - Draper before that.

1645d ago

Cheryl Harris3

That is quite the Centre Court schedule.

Brian Keith Jackson1

I'm all for Serena's a return. It shows players understand it's a business and should treat it accordingly. Still, I haven't seen any conversation about what drugs are in the weight loss meds she's taking, promotes, and has a stake in. That seems peculiar to me.

LeithMotive

@leithmotive.bsky.social

The attitude of many tennis players to doping controls is very much reminding me of 00s professional cycling. And we all know what happened there. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis...

1245d ago

LeithMotive8

The anger at the tests and not the grand slam winners who tested positive, in fact the defences of said slam winners, it really does reveal a lot more than they think it does.

Paul Chandler2

No mention in the article of the time she locked herself in her panic room when the drug tester came knocking... www.huffpost.com/entry/serena...

[The Great War & Modern Memory]

@ps9714.bsky.social

Tennis star #Novak #Djokovic didn't hold back his thoughts on #Serena Williams' comeback attempt at #Wimbledon. With Williams coming back to the iconic tournament, Djokovic made it clear what she's doing is "inspirational" and "epic."

1445d ago

Demos1

Huh, pretty cool. And I always thought Djokovic was a F-ing Nazi. globalvoices.org/2021/09/28/s...

SUZE and DIPPER and Gremmy

@awildsuze.bsky.social

For the first time in 4 years we got to watch Serena Williams back on the grass and WIN! I’m happy.

545d ago

✨Pazuzu's Pet Project✨

@lespapillonsnoires.bsky.social

Differences in ability are no one's fault, like race, gender or sexual orientation. But, at some point, you've got to stop insulting Serena Williams by sending a gaggle of amateur tennis players you just recruited off the street. It's a waste of everyone's time & quite embarrassing for YOU.

245d ago

Rev Peter W Nimmo

@peternimmo.bsky.social

"It's gruelling... My life is busy, I run a [venture capital] company, I travel the world. I have children. It's like I could be in so many different cities so many different times" said Serena Williams as she decided not start playing professional tennis again* *satire

345d ago

The Olympic Games {bot}

@olympics-bot.bsky.social

Serena Williams was not going to turn down the opportunity to return to Wimbledon. 🎾 The four-time Olympic champion begins her Championships in the women’s singles draw on Tuesday (30 June). #Olympics

345d ago

CNA - Channel News Asia (Unofficial)

@cna-poster.bsky.social

Serena Williams to make Wimbledon return on Centre Court - https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/serena-williams-make-wimbledon-return-centre-court-6216336

145d ago