As the tennis world descends on Madrid for the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is turning heads—not just for her thunderous forehands but for her candid stance on a growing concern plaguing the sport: the doping system’s unpredictability. The Belarusian powerhouse, fresh off a dominant Miami Open title, has aligned herself with ATP star Andrey Rublev in highlighting what she calls a “scary” issue on the WTA Tour. In the wake of high-profile doping controversies, Sabalenka’s cautious approach to everyday interactions reveals the paranoia gripping players, underscoring a broader crisis of trust in tennis’s anti-doping protocols.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, spoke out ahead of her Madrid campaign, where she’s aiming to reclaim the title she won in 2021 and 2023. Her comments echo Rublev’s recent reflections on his own doping scare in Dubai last year, where he faced a default for unsportsmanlike conduct but also opened up about the mental toll of navigating the sport’s stringent regulations. “I’m becoming very cautious,” Sabalenka admitted, her voice tinged with unease. “I only consume what my team controls. I’m careful about what I touch, who I shake hands with. A simple cream can be enough to cause problems. It’s scary.” Her words, shared via social media posts, reflect a heightened vigilance sparked by recent scandals, including positive tests from players like Simona Halep, Jannik Sinner, and Iga Swiatek, which have rocked the tennis community.
The fear Sabalenka describes stems from the sport’s zero-tolerance doping policies, which can ensnare players through accidental exposure. Rublev, who has been vocal about his mental health struggles, previously expressed similar anxieties, noting how the system’s rigidity can haunt players. “Things get to your head that like if someone used a cream on you & you test positive, they’re not going to believe you,” he said, a sentiment Sabalenka clearly shares. The 26-year-old, known for her fierce competitiveness and off-court charisma, now finds herself second-guessing routine actions—leaving a glass unattended or accepting a handshake—lest they lead to a career-threatening violation. “You just start to be more careful,” she added, highlighting the paranoia that has crept into her daily routine.
This issue is particularly poignant given tennis’s complex geopolitical backdrop. Sabalenka, like Rublev, competes without a national flag at Grand Slams due to bans on Russian and Belarusian symbols amid the Ukraine conflict, adding another layer of scrutiny to her career. Her association with Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko has drawn questions, notably at the 2023 French Open, yet she’s remained focused on her game, amassing 10,541 ranking points and eight WTA 1000 titles. Meanwhile, Rublev’s anti-war stance, famously scrawled as “no war please” on a camera lens in 2022, has endeared him to fans but hasn’t shielded him from the sport’s pressures. Both players, ranked No. 1 and No. 9 respectively, are navigating a landscape where on-court brilliance is overshadowed by off-court anxieties.
The doping scandals have broader implications for the WTA and ATP Tours. High-profile cases, like Halep’s suspension and Sinner’s cleared test, have sparked debates about fairness and transparency. Sabalenka’s dominance—she’s dropped just 30 games in six Miami matches—contrasts with her vulnerability to a system where a single misstep could derail her legacy. “She’s so impressive on court, but she’s also funny,” noted influencer Morgan Riddle, capturing Sabalenka’s star power. Yet, this charisma belies the stress of constant vigilance, a burden shared by players across the tours.
As Sabalenka prepares to face Iga Swiatek and a stacked Madrid field, her focus remains sharp, but the doping issue looms large. Her alignment with Rublev signals a call for reform, urging governing bodies to balance rigorous testing with protections against inadvertent violations. For a player who thrives on hard courts and dreams of a Madrid repeat, the real challenge may be conquering the fear that even a handshake could cost her everything. In a sport where power and precision define success, Sabalenka’s courage to speak out proves she’s a champion in more ways than one.