WTA News and Gossip 2018

[GameSetAndMath]

Here is Serena's pre tournament interview .
.

Couple of interesting things in this interview.

1. Serena indulges in a Freudian slip and mentions "honesty" for a question where honest does not come into picture in any way, shape or form.

2. She says Deadspin article is interesting and only after reading that article she knew as to how much frequently she is being targeted in comparison to others. However, she had already made that complaint before the deadspin article was printed. That is clearly an inconsistency that none of the press folks pursued further.

 

[10isfan]

I don’t believe Serena is doping. I do think she should have better control over her emotions, given that she’s in the limelight. She can’t refuse to be tested and expect the public to accept her behavior.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think Serena might want to measure her words better when it comes to speaking about testing. If I recall, there were some years where she was tested less and others more. I think it is one of those things where they try to keep it as unpatterned as possible, so the players can’t figure out a pattern to testing. It comes with the nature of winning and making a comeback. You get tested more.

 

[kskate2]

I don’t believe Serena is doping. I do think she should have better control over her emotions, given that she’s in the limelight. She can’t refuse to be tested and expect the public to accept her behavior.

I don't know what to think. This is twice in the last 7 years that she's dodged a testing agent. I guess theoretically we have to give her the benefit of the doubt until she fails one.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Serena better tread carefully. They won’t be as “kind” to her as they were to Sharapova. She should know that anyone and everyone in the tennis world is looking for a reason to discredit her. Don’t provide easy ammunition.

 

[Federberg]

Chris Evert and McKendry were interviewing Serena in the studio today after the 2nd round win. They did not ask her a single question about Doping agent leaving unsuccessfully from Serena's home. Are they doing journalist job properly?

I did not see a similar interview after 1st Round. I am assuming that there was such an interview and they asked Serena about it. Otherwise, it is simply pandering. Can anyone who saw ESPN studio interview of Serena after 1R confirm that.

what was the doping story? I thought I read that the doping agent visited outside of the prescribed time slot? Am I wrong?

 

[britbox]

what was the doping story? I thought I read that the doping agent visited outside of the prescribed time slot? Am I wrong?

They are allowed to visit whenever they like. It's just that the athlete doesn't guarantee that they will be in a location outside the time slot... so if he couldn't find Serena outside the slot she wouldn't get penalised. But he did find her... and apparently she wouldn't do the test.

 

[Federberg]

They are allowed to visit whenever they like. It's just that the athlete doesn't guarantee that they will be in a location outside the time slot... so if he couldn't find Serena outside the slot she wouldn't get penalised. But he did find her... and apparently she wouldn't do the test.

wow

 

[Federberg]

ok I just found a link...

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...camp-hit-out-at-treatment-by-us-drugs-testers

hard to know what to think. If she's being tested more than everyone else, one has to ask why

 

[GameSetAndMath]

ok I just found a link...

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...camp-hit-out-at-treatment-by-us-drugs-testers

hard to know what to think. If she's being tested more than everyone else, one has to ask why

Serena is complaining that she was being targeted because she was tested five times this year. On the other hand, Roger said that he was tested 7 times last month alone.

Serena's theory of everyone should be tested equal number of times is totally flawed for the following reasons.

1. If there is a quota like say 5 tests per year, then the player knows that after the 5th test, they can juice all they want for the rest of the year. In order to keep them all on their toes, their need to be surprise element and randomization in testing strategies.

2. Obviously, players winning a lot and who are ranked high should be tested a lot. It does not make sense to test player ranked #753 and Serena, the same number of times.

3. When players take an extended break (due to whatever reasons), as is the case for Serena now, it gives an opportunity to juice up. Hence, such players should be given more out of contest tests.

 

[Federberg]

Serena is complaining that she was being targeted because she was tested five times this year. On the other hand, Roger said that he was tested 7 times last month alone.

Serena's theory of everyone should be tested equal number of times is totally flawed for the following reasons.

1. If there is a quota like say 5 tests per year, then the player knows that after the 5th test, they can juice all they want for the rest of the year. In order to keep them all on their toes, their need to be surprise element and randomization in testing strategies.

2. Obviously, players winning a lot and who are ranked high should be tested a lot. It does not make sense to test player ranked #753 and Serena, the same number of times.

3. When players take an extended break (due to whatever reasons), as is the case for Serena now, it gives an opportunity to juice up. Hence, such players should be given more out of contest tests.

I don't really disagree with anything you're saying, but this is a woman who is breast feeding her child. If anyone is going to suggest she's juicing while she's doing that. Well... I think that's a pretty sick accusation. I mean... come on..

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I don't really disagree with anything you're saying, but this is a woman who is breast feeding her child. If anyone is going to suggest she's juicing while she's doing that. Well... I think that's a pretty sick accusation. I mean... come on..

Come on, the kid can get a head start.

I think she has stopped breast feeding quite a while ago, probably after five months.

Anyway, obviously no body knows whether she is doping or not, except herself. Two incidents (the earlier panic room saga and this one) of the same type recurring is worrisome. Also, look at the inconsistencies. She says that only after reading the deadspin article she knew that she is being tested lot more often than others. But, then how come she was complaining about that before itself. Also, why call WTA CEO to pull string. You never know what could happen where. One could have said the same thing about Lance Armstrong --- "How could someone who is a cancer survivor will want to dope?"

 

[Federberg]

Come on, the kid can get a head start.

I think she has stopped breast feeding quite a while ago, probably after five months.

Anyway, obviously no body knows whether she is doping or not, except herself. Two incidents (the earlier panic room saga and this one) of the same type recurring is worrisome. Also, look at the inconsistencies. She says that only after reading the deadspin article she knew that she is being tested lot more often than others. But, then how come she was complaining about that before itself. Also, why call WTA CEO to pull string. You never know what could happen where. One could have said the same thing about Lance Armstrong --- "How could someone who is a cancer survivor will want to dope?"

I really don't believe she's a doper. I think the entire basis of suspicion is her physique and that I dismiss completely. That's all natural. Folks who have difficulty believing that are just unfamiliar with some black women's bodies

 

[Horsa]

I really don't believe she's a doper. I think the entire basis of suspicion is her physique and that I dismiss completely. That's all natural. Folks who have difficulty believing that are just unfamiliar with some black women's bodies

I don't think her physique is completely natural but that she worked hard to get where she is now. I'm not saying that some people don't find it easier to put on muscle because that wouldn't be true but hard work is a lot to do with it too.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I really don't believe she's a doper. I think the entire basis of suspicion is her physique and that I dismiss completely. That's all natural. Folks who have difficulty believing that are just unfamiliar with some black women's bodies

The primary issue is that if there is nothing to hide, why can't she let the agent test her when he came by. Then, we would not even be talking about this right.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I really don't believe she's a doper. I think the entire basis of suspicion is her physique and that I dismiss completely. That's all natural. Folks who have difficulty believing that are just unfamiliar with some black women's bodies

The basis of suspicion is not so much her physique or her record, but the dodging incidents piling up. There was a "panic room incident" before and now we have "agent stand off" issue. Keep in mind that the second issue became public due to pure accident. So, there could well be other such incidents that we are not aware of.

 

[10isfan]

Serena seems to be the type to mouth off without thinking of the consequences. I believe she isn’t doping but wish she would control her temper and avoid these situations. Reasonable people think why not just take the test? She isn’t being reasonable. She is too wrapped up in her victim frame of mind.

 

[special700]

Serena refused to undergo test on July 14th when an USADA agent showed up at her house. Apparently, there was a standoff between the agent and Serena and in the end agent left without accomplishing his mission. Serena is complaining that she is being unfairly tested a lot and targeted. Actually, it was completely within the current policy of USADA to target players as they deem fit and to show up unannounced for testing. It looks like Serena pulled strings by calling the CEO of WTA to get away with it.

This does not bode well especially coming after a previous incident involving panic room.

p.s. Isabelle posted this somewhere and it appears that moderators deleted it as conspiracy theory. It is not conspiracy theory.

You are such a damn liar. Did you actually read the article? There was no damn stand off. Serena was out of town or a very good distance from her home when the person showed up and was way out side of the hours that he should have been there. After he was told this he should have left her premises. Serena did not pull any strings by calling the CEO. Why the hell don't you stop being scandalize and read the damn article. Serena is not Maria, she does not need PEDs to help her win matches. You ass should be sued for this false information your are spreading. Damn liar.

 

[special700]

The basis of suspicion is not so much her physique or her record, but the dodging incidents piling up. There was a "panic room incident" before and now we have "agent stand off" issue. Keep in mind that the second issue became public due to pure accident. So, there could well be other such incidents that we are not aware of.

Again, stop your lies with this "panic room" what the hell is your problem man....Are you for real?

 

[special700]

Not a smart move by Serena. She should have agreed to be tested. Looking guilty to her detractors.

Are you serious. Serena did not refuse to undergo the test. Did you even read the article before you post that reply? You people are something else.