Tennis stars warned over ‘creepy' rule that forces them to shower while being watched as fans slam it as ‘unacceptable'
TENNIS fans have slammed a "creepy" shower rule that was posted by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
The governing body revealed that players chosen to give urine samples for drug testing must remain in full view of chaperones, if they choose to take a shower first.
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The regulations are in place to combat drug cheating in the sport, which has become a growing problem in recent years.
The ITIA reminded that players chosen for testing, who want to shower immediately, must stay in "full view" of a chaperone when they're washing after a match.
It argued that showering before the test "is not a right".
But if players want to clean off their sweat before any samples are taken, they must remain in sight.
An ITIA statement read: 'The ITIA and ITF have been working tirelessly to ensure that post-match showers can constitute an allowable delay for doping controls.
'Especially when the absence of a shower can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of a player.
'However, taking a shower is not a right. For this reason, the ITIA kindly requests players to shower while remaining in clear view of the chaperone observing them at all times.
'If a player feels uncomfortable being watched during their shower, we suggest considering whether it is necessary to shower before providing the doping control sample.'
Sharing the new rule on X, American sports journalist Jon Wertheim wrote: 'This is … extraordinary'.
And other tennis fans were even more shocked, calling out the 'creepy' new rule.
Novak Djokovic's wait for 100th title goes on after he's beaten by teenager who only played because referee was at lunch
One said: "This is unacceptable", while another added: "That's completely bonkers".
And a second wrote: 'I cannot believe what I just read.'
Following backlash on social media, the ITIA issued a new statement on Saturday.
It read: 'We recognise that parts of the anti-doping testing process are uncomfortable.
'However, as with all World Anti-Doping Agency-compliant sports – not just tennis – players who are notified for a test after a match are observed at all times by an anti-doping chaperone until the test is completed.
'This is a requirement of the world anti-doping code.'
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