Player profile guide, Halep and World Anti Doping Agency
View(s):Simone Halep is the first Rumanian woman to be prominent in WTA tennis. She matched the performances of her country’s men Ille Nastase and Ion Tiriac of the past. Halep was WTA number one. Her athletic court coverage, delivery of power and accuracy, match play ability gave her two Grand Slam titles. When WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) placed suspension on her last October, she had a slot in the Top 10 of the world. This May, her suspension is going into eighth month.
Last week she was in the global media personally with her present French coach Mortelegou in the background. This time, it was to state WADA, the UN sports anti-doping agency, to be very slow in clearing her. The October 2022 WADA suspension made her miss the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open and she will miss the second, the French Open too.
WADA
The dope testing and control by WADA evolved to cover very sophisticated methods by players. Their aim is to make sports free of unfair sporting practices that has established deep-rooted practices. Even some national bodies were assisting doping cover-ups. WADA is an independent UN body. Has turned out be the only way to control doping to a good extent in sports.
A list of substances WADA has placed under prohibited list is in their web site. WADA conducts random and surprise tests on players appearing even to player’s homes. Halep tested in her town. WADA uses blood/urine samples that can provide back dated profile, from a good few months to a year or more. Halep is not guilty until proved beyond all doubts. Her medical history has some surgeries. Some sports have the history of using forbidden substances openly [Cycling].
Sports supplements
In the recent past some national bodies and overseas academies have fallen into suspicion. Not all sportsmen and women take or support the use of forbidden substances. [-Do be careful with accusations-] Under the banner sports supplement, many items are available even in our little Sri Lanka. Young, openly discuss which supplements they are taking. The sports education and development need a supportive wing to stay clear of bad practices. Testing can be very difficult of better said impossible for local controlling bodies.
A lesson to all
Suspending a player is a drastic act and WADA will not indulge in it unless there is substantial proof. Few whom WADA suspended, turned out to be sportsmen taking substances unknowingly. This could be the case with Halep, the question will need to be cleared. There is a lesson in this Halep episode to every player, parents, coaches and promoters. We cannot be ignorant or drop our guard against this menace, be well informed and stay away.
Using tennis as a spring board
Every ranked junior player in our country has placed a hook, line and sinker to an educational institute overseas for an educational scholarship. When is SAT and TOEFL? This question heard in every tennis ranking events of the island. To my memory, the first Sri Lankan to get a scholarship to USA as a junior is A.N. Fernando [Jumbo]. He went to Eugene in the state of Oregon in the USA. After that, a string of players went over for their education using tennis scholarship. This train is still moving, at present in full steam. Not easy, tennis is useful.
American collegiate and other overseas university entry requirement rely on the players’ record in globally known rankings and rating. There are many events in our neighbouring countries. ITF events level one to three, recently popular Universal Tennis Rating [UTR] to name two. European rankings carry more weight. Rating of an event is based on the strength of the recognised player participation.
Personal win/loss record
The three factors needed for overseas recognition, first, to vouch the player is currently in competition, second is player’s win/loss record in the immediate calendar year, and third is any good wins or good performances registered against recognised players.
In the past, parents and good coaches maintained 1]- number of complete sets played in practice and matches by the player to show activity rate, 2]- number of matches played, to show competition experience, 3]- win/loss record of the last three years, to show current playing form, 4]- the number of overseas events played to show match play maturity. When it came to overseas travel for participation, India, Pakistan and Malaysia and Thailand were our venues.
These records cover the needs of overseas scholarship wetting committees. They vouch the attachment, commitment and perseverance of the player concerned. This is my advice to all would-be players. It can substitute even when an impressive record is not forthcoming.
–George Paldano, European and Asian competition player; coach German Tennis Federation; national coach Brunei and Sri Lanka; Davis Cup, Federation Cup coach, coached ATP, WTA and ITF ranked players in Europe and Asia; WhatsApp +94775448880–