Tennis star, Serena Williams has disclosed that she is a victim of “discrimination” as she happens to be the most drug tested American tennis player.
She made this claim on Tuesday on her Twitter handle after a visit from doping officials.
Williams had previously expressed frustration about the volume of her tests earlier this month.
“Out of all the players it’s been proven I’m the one getting tested the most. Discrimination? I think so,” said the 36-year-old.
In an article published by website Deadspin in June, it was revealed that Williams had been tested out of competition by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on five occasions in 2018.
The article also claimed that the player was not present when anti-doping officials visited her home on 14 June. According to Williams, the tester showed up 12 hours earlier than the agreed time.
This was marked as a “missed test” – three of which would result in a USADA doping violation.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had been tested more than twice as many times as other top American players – male or female – including US Open champion Sloane Stephens (one) and sister and multiple Grand Slam winner Venus Williams (two).
When asked about the findings of the report during Wimbledon earlier this summer, Williams had this to say:
“I never knew that I was tested so much more than everyone else.
“Until I read that article I didn’t realise it was such a discrepancy with me as well as against the other players that they listed, at least the American players – both male and female.”
Williams lost to German Angelique Kerber in the final of the just concluded Wimbledon