World No. 8 Andrey Rublev has expressed serious concerns about the strict anti-doping rules in professional tennis, revealing they leave him feeling anxious and constantly stressed. Ahead of defending his title at the Madrid Open, Rublev shared how the sport’s whereabouts system causes him ongoing worry.
Under current anti-doping regulations, players must provide a daily one-hour window and location for potential drug testing. Missing three tests within a year can result in a one- to two-year ban. Rublev admitted the pressure to comply perfectly with this system is overwhelming.
“It’s an issue that scares me,” Rublev said. “We have to report where we are every hour. If you forget or aren’t there, it counts as a strike. It’s not fair. This makes you live in a constant state of stress.”
Rublev nearly fell foul of the system himself after forgetting to update his location upon arriving in Madrid.
The 27-year-old is also taking extreme caution with medication and food, concerned about accidental contamination — especially in the wake of bans handed to Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, who argued their positive tests were due to contamination.
“I’ve become wary of taking any medication,” he explained. “If I feel sick, I avoid it. I’m lucky to have doctors I can consult, but not everyone has that.”
Last year, Rublev battled through illness — including a throat abscess — en route to his Madrid title, even relying on baby food during matches and later requiring hospital care.
As he prepares for his first match in this year’s tournament, Rublev remains hyper-vigilant, not only about his game but about staying compliant with every regulation that governs his sport.
He will begin his title defense against either Gael Monfils or a qualifier in the second round.
