Emma Raducanu declines treatment for ant bites over doping fears
- Emma Raducanu suffered insect bites from ants, resulting in significant swelling in her hand and ankle.
- She refused treatment with antiseptic spray due to concerns over contamination and recent doping cases in tennis.
- Raducanu's cautious approach highlights the ongoing issues surrounding doping in the sport, impacting players' decisions.
In Australia, tennis star Emma Raducanu faced a peculiar dilemma during her preparation for the Australian Open. While getting ready for the tournament, she experienced severe insect bites from ants, which caused her hand and ankle to swell significantly. Despite the discomfort and the swelling, Raducanu made a cautious decision not to use a natural antiseptic spray that was offered to her. This choice stemmed from her concerns regarding the potential contamination of the spray, especially in light of recent high-profile doping cases involving fellow players Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. The incidents surrounding Sinner and Swiatek have led many players, including Raducanu, to be extra vigilant about the substances they use and the risks of inadvertently ingesting banned substances. These cases have heightened the awareness among tennis professionals about the dangers of contamination and the severe consequences of doping violations, casting a shadow over their preparations for the major tournament. As Raducanu prepares to compete in the Australian Open against Ekaterina Alexandrova, she emphasizes the importance of controlling what is within her power and managing the risks associated with medication and treatment, leading her to endure the pain from the insect bites rather than subject herself to potential doping allegations.