By ITF This Week Special Edition
December 19 2002

The International Tennis Federation (ITF), ATP and WTA Tour announced today that the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme begins widespread EPO testing in January 2003. EPO urine analysis was carried out at the 2002 Davis Cup Semifinal and Final in Paris in association with the French Government.

From 2003, the ITF, ATP and WTA Tour rules have been changed to permit blood testing to assist in detection of the synthetic hormone erythropoietin(EPO) and/or related substances. Because of its ability to enhance performance and the serious health risks that it imposes on otherwise healthy athletes, EPO is a prohibited substance under Tennis Anti-Doping Rules. This decision demonstrates the continued commitment of the sport’s governing bodies along with both male and female professional tennis players to the fight against the use of banned substances in sports.

By the conclusion of 2002, the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme had conducted approximately 1,400
drug tests both in-competition and out-of competition on male and female professional tennis players.

International Doping Tests and Management (IDTM), which also provides drug-testing services for
FINA (Swimming) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), provides management of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. IDTM conducted thousands of blood tests on international athletes during
the past year.

The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is a comprehensive and internationally recognised drug-testing programme that applies to all players competing at tournaments sanctioned by the ITF, ATP and WTA Tour. The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme maintains a common set of rules and procedures that applies to all levels of professional tennis. Players are tested for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) list of banned substances in accordance with the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).