As professional tennis returns to China in full force, players have been issued a stark warning by the International Tennis Integrity Agency: avoid eating meat in restaurants. The advisory comes amid growing concern over the use of banned steroids such as clenbuterol and ractopamine in livestock farming across China, Mexico, and Guatemala.
“Players are urged to understand the risks of eating meat in these countries during tournaments and seek other sources of protein (such as plant-based, or fish) where possible,” the ITIA stated.
With more than $30 million in prize money on offer and events like the Billie Jean King Cup scheduled, players are expected to spend extended periods in China. The ITIA recommends sticking to meat served at tournament venues or official hotels, keeping receipts, dining with fellow players, and maintaining detailed food diaries to assist in any future investigations.
Contamination defenses are costly and uncertain
While athletes who test positive may be exonerated if they can prove contamination, the process is lengthy, expensive, and far from guaranteed. British doubles player Tara Moore was banned for four years after failing to convince the Court of Arbitration for Sport that her positive test for boldenone and nandrolone was caused by contaminated meat in Colombia.
“There is no way to know,” said Iga Swiatek, who herself faced a brief suspension after testing positive due to a contaminated melatonin supplement. “It was the worst time in my life.”
Swiatek’s case, though resolved quickly, sent shockwaves through the locker room. Players began approaching her for advice, only to hear that there was little they could do to prevent similar outcomes.
The psychological toll of food-related doping risks
The fear of inadvertent doping has become a constant undercurrent in the lives of top players. Food, once a source of comfort and cultural exploration during grueling tour schedules, now carries risk. In countries where language barriers exist and off-site dining is complicated, many athletes feel trapped in the tournament bubble.
“Going out for dinner is one of the few escapes we have,” said one player anonymously. “But now even that feels dangerous.”
Vegetarianism offers a potential solution, but it’s not always practical or appealing for athletes with demanding nutritional needs.
New support scheme for lower-ranked players
In response to growing concern, anti-doping authorities are launching a pilot program to support players outside the top tier. Beginning next month, up to $5,000 in funding will be available to help test supplements or investigate potential meat contamination at WADA-accredited labs.
This initiative is especially aimed at players who lack the resources to mount legal defenses. Under the new guidelines, if a positive test falls below a certain threshold and occurs in a recognized high-risk country, provisional suspensions may be waived during the investigation.
However, cases like Moore’s in Colombia remain outside these protections, highlighting the uneven playing field in anti-doping enforcement.
As the tours continue across Asia and Latin America, players must navigate not only their opponents but also the invisible risks on their plates.