The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced last year that important changes have been made to the use of glucocorticoids across all sports – including tennis. From 1 January 2022, all injectable glucocorticoids are prohibited in-competition.
This means that a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) will be required if a player uses a glucocorticoid by all injectable, oral or rectal routes (or if the substance may be present in the player’s system following an in-competition test where the use was out-of-competition). If a player does not have a valid TUE, then it will be treated as a potential Anti-Doping Violation.
Glucocorticoids can be detected in an individual’s system for some time after use has stopped. WADA has published ‘washout periods’ which provide guidance as to how long a glucocorticoid may be detectable (see attached document).
Players are encouraged to discuss the situation with their own or tournament medical practitioners before any injection is administered.
Published 27 January 2022 16:00
