Financial help offered to tennis players involved in doping investigations by ITIA

The Professional Tennis Players’ Association, which was co-founded by Djokovic to increase player power, introduced a scheme in January which offers free support from two prominent law firms.

The number of legal hours provided is limited, and there will be restraints too on what the ITIA will be able to offer.

There is already pro-bono legal support offered to players who test positive by Sport Resolutions – an independent dispute resolution company.

This will now be open to players from the moment they test positive, rather than when they are charged, but long-term support is dependent on finding lawyers who are prepared to work for free.

Up to $5,000 (£3,730) worth of assistance will be available to those who wish to use a Wada-accredited laboratory to prepare a case.

Individuals will also be able to sign up for six sessions at Sporting Chance, the mental health organisation set up to support professional athletes.

“Anyone who finds themselves part of either an anti-doping or anti-corruption investigation deserves the opportunity to defend or explain themselves, and we recognise the process can come at both a financial and emotional cost,” ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said.

“No player picks up a tennis racquet as a child with any motivation other than playing the game.

“Individuals find themselves in these situations for a lot of reasons, and so no matter what those reasons are, and where the case ends up, they also deserve someone to talk to.”

The trial will be reviewed at the end of 2026.

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