Top-100 tennis pro sues WTA, ITF on blood testing procedure
American professional tennis player Madison Brengle sued the WTA and International Tennis Federation in Florida state court on Monday, seeking unspecified damages for “physical and emotional consequences” related to anti-doping blood tests that involve inserting a needle into a vein.
“She is not disputing that there should be an anti-doping program. She does not dispute that players should be available to have tests administered. But it has to be done in a medically appropriate manner,” Brengle’s lawyer, Peter Ginsberg, said in a telephone interview after the suit was filed.
“And it has to be done in a way which takes into consideration not only those who manage professional tennis, but also those who play tennis,” Ginsberg said. “It’s a system totally dominated by the authorities, without any input from the players and without any consideration for the players.”
The defendants also include the ITF’s Stuart Miller; International Doping Tests and Management (IDTM), a Swedish company that administers drug tests for the ITF; and IDTM doping control officer John Snowball.