After securing a hard-fought victory over Alycia Parks in the Montreal second-round, Swiss tennis star and world no. 13, Belinda Bencic found herself irked by an anti-doping procedure. The Wednesday match saw Bencic triumph over Parks with a scoreline of 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. However, when Bencic addressed the press room, she revealed being frustrated with the anti-doping procedures.
Belinda Bencic spent 1.5 hours in anti doping after 3 hour match:
“I just spent 1.5 hours in anti doping, not being able to pee after a 3 hour match. I don’t know what they expect & I don’t know why I have anti doping, when I won. I didn’t even eat yet. I had to beg to have an… pic.twitter.com/5BYYnbnLph
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 10, 2023
While her on-court performance showcased determination, her off-court protest has left many questioning the appropriateness and impact of her objections. Her outrage against anti-doping procedures has sparked controversy and criticism from tennis fans. Bencic’s decision to openly criticize the anti-doping procedures in place at the tournament has raised eyebrows. The tennis fans even made a mockery of the player.
Have we seen how this girl moves? She’s definitely not doping lmao 🤣
— Tristan™️ (@steelcitychamp_) August 10, 2023
@christophclarey 1.5 hrs not ideal. But I can’t listen to athletes that don’t seem to understand the reasoning behind anti doping testing. She says I won as if that negates the need for the testing. Um…it’s actually the opposite.
— Michael James (@michaelatbat) August 10, 2023
Her claims of being inconvenienced by the anti-doping test, have been met with skepticism from close quarters. Bencic’s actions have ignited a debate about the balance between athletes’ comfort and the integrity of the sport.
Her public frustration with anti-doping procedures could have a negative impact on younger players and potentially diminish the importance of fair play and adherence to regulations. However, on the flip side, it is important to examine what irked Bencic to make a public protest.
What was the bone of contention for Belinda Bencic?
Bencic battled ferociously against Alycia Parks, the American world number 47, in a marathon match lasting nearly three hours. However, what caught her off guard was an unexpected anti-doping test after the match. Belinda Bencic complained of an ordeal she faced following her second-round triumph at the Canadian Open on Wednesday afternoon.
She was subjected to an agonizing one-and-a-half-hour wait, without even a restroom break. For the Swiss Olympic gold medalist, this evolved into an unsettling situation, compounded by her physical exhaustion upon leaving the court.
She said, “Well, I just spent one and a half hours in anti-doping not being able to pee after a three-hour match, of course. So, I don’t know what they expect.” Further, she said that she shouldn’t have been subjected to anti-doping when she had won.
Belinda Bencic was required to remain within the designated testing area until clearance was granted, without any sustenance or making a physical recovery. Bencic also disclosed her plea for an ice bath, a process she asserted was not stipulated by the new regulations.
She said, “I didn’t even eat yet. I’m here now. I had a quick ice bath. I had to beg them to have an ice bath and to have a shower actually.” As per the tennis star, these rules were not an ideal scenario for her. Some of the fans also supported her claims.
The delay is inexplicable, since it is about taking a urine sample, not a liter, what did you expect? if they don’t have the logistics in place, then they can’t be on the tour.
— Miguel Angel (@maar6644) August 10, 2023
In the arena of tennis tournaments, doping tests are executed informally and randomly. As players exit the court after the match, they are taken immediately without any notice for preparation. While athletes have the right to voice their concerns, it’s significant to consider the broader context.