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Two months after Fernando Verdasco's doping case came to light, the International Tennis Integration Agency (ITIA) issued stringent warnings to tennis players against the misuse of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication drug.
In November last year, Verdasco tested positive for the presence of methylphenidate, a drug used to cure ADHD-related ailments. The ITIA acknowledged that the Spaniard had taken the drug as per the physician's advice as he was diagnosed with the disorder.
While fair use of the drug for players affected by the disorder was deemed legal by the ITIA, they later found that several players have been consuming it to improve their concentration and gain an unfair edge over their competitors.
Hence, the agency has issued a warning to players belonging to both the ATP and WTA tours on the illicit usage of such drugs to keep the sport clean and fair. As per the letter issued by ITIA, players must submit genuine evidence in addition to an application for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to claim medication.
In Verdasco's case, he failed to renew the TUE. As a result, the Spaniard was charged with a two-month suspension. Apart from Verdasco, there have been several other strong rumors about the drug being circulated in the locker rooms of late.
ITIA warns tennis players to renew their TUE in advance of the expiry date
ITIA, in its latest statement, has made it clear that even if they grant TUE to any player, it should be renewed before the expiry date by the players themselves.
The agency observed that there have been a huge number of applications from tennis players requesting the usage of ADHD medication. The ITIA maintained that they would approve applications that they find are genuine and issue TUE only to those players.
"Players should note that there is a high threshold for granting applications for the use of ADHD medication. This means that it cannot be assumed that a TUE will be granted. However, those who have received a genuine and thorough clinical diagnosis of ADHD…may be granted a TUE," read the statement.
They noted that most TUEs have an expiry date and that it is the player's "sole responsibility" to renew it in advance of the expiry date.
"Most TUEs have an expiry date and it is a player’s sole responsibility to ensure that their TUE is renewed in advance of the expiry date"
All members of the ATP and WTA tours have received a letter involving the statements, confirmed an ITIA spokeswoman.
