Steroids? Just askin.

[trumad]

Serena Williams returns a shot from Shahar Peer, of Israel, at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament Thursday.

[jakefrep]

1. Maybe - maybe not

I don't see much point in talking about it unless she tests positive for something.

[erpowers]

2. Why

Why would you ask about that? What has she done to make you question her methods of winning? It is not like she never won a championship and then all of a sudden started winning matches and championships. From the moment she steped on the court she was very good at what she did. In addition, I am not sure, but I do not think her body changed that much since she came on the scene. She has been on the scene for about ten years so her muscles getting bigger would seem normal.

[trumad]

3. LOL-- You're kidding right?

First off: Her weight gain and size is very noticeable... Look at the arms on her.

Second: the sports world is replete with athletes who find second wind with steroids. All of a sudden she pops from number 80 in the world to beating number ones easily?

I ask it because it happens all the time in the sports world.... all the time.

[erpowers]

4. What Number One

I know she beat Maria Sharapova; however, I do not consider her a number one. Really Serena only beat minorly talented players. Sharapova was and is still extremely overrated. Her first two to three wins in the majors were just flukes in that she beat very opponents. Yes she beat Serena, I do not think Serena was at full speed at that time.

[trumad]

6. Number one and number two:

Justine Henin
Maria Sharapova

She slipped to number two---- and if you think a number two--who was number one for a period of time--- is overrated, you don't know tennis to well.

On edit: Serena just beat the number one---Todays pic of her win...

[joeybee12]

5. Yeah, test her...

...to come back so strong after such a long lay-off and to look like a fullback is suspect.

Her game now is totally power. It was largely power in the past, but the other women can't hit her shots back when she gets them in. She's doing something.

I don't think they really test in women's tennis. Not sure, though.

[MaineDem]

7. I'm sure they test

Often.

Serena's ranking slipped because of injuries not lack of skill. It would make sense that once she was healthy again she'd be playing at full strength. It took her a few matches to get back to top play but I'd say she's come back fully now.

[joeybee12]

8. Actually, it didn't take her any matches...

...showed up at the Australian and won it.

I know they test men, because they've already caught a couple. I sort of recall some rumors about Justine a few years back, but never heard anything else about that.

[MaineDem]

9. I think she played at least one before Melbourne

She lost in the Hobart Quarters. Not sure if there was one other before the Aussie Open or not. I know Melbourne was her first win this year.

And here's the release on the drug testing:
New York, USA, 04 Sep 2006 - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced today that starting January 1, 2007, the ITF will assume full responsibility for the management, administration and enforcement of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme at all Sony Ericsson WTA Tour-sanctioned events.

The agreement, which will extend until the end of 2011, will see the ITF undertake a full testing programme at all Tier I to IV Sony Ericsson WTA Tour events as well as the prestigious season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships. The ITF already oversees the testing of women players at the Grand Slams, Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, ITF Women’s Circuit, junior and wheelchair tennis events. The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, which was jointly created by the ITF, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and ATP in 1993 to cover the whole of tennis, is an internationally recognised and comprehensive drug-testing programme that conducts both in and out-of-competition testing of athletes and is designed to protect the health of players and ensure equal and fair competition. Additionally, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour was the first professional sports league to become a signatory to the WADA Code.

“The ITF believes that having the management of the entire Tennis Anti-Doping Programme under one umbrella is the most efficient and sensible way forward for tennis,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “All three governing bodies, the ITF, ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, have the same objective – to protect our players and keep our sport drug free – and streamlining the management will only make the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme stronger and more transparent for all of our constituents: players, the media and the fans who follow our sport. We look forward to working with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and know that we will have the same successful relationship that we currently enjoy with the ATP.”

http://www.itftennis.com/antidoping/news/pressrelease.asp?id=16895

[trumad]

10. I want to make it clear that I have no proof she's doping

BUT that's what the use of steroids has done in sports... It makes us all have suspicion.

[joeybee12]

11. Tennis is certainly a sport where steroids would help

a player--man or woman, essentially because it's become a power game these days.

[Captain Hilts]

16. They need to go back to wooden raquets to take some of the power out of the game.

It's not fun watching people try to ace each other.

She's always been strong, but generally looked out of shape.

[HuckleB]

12. I doubt it.

Because of injuries, she had to spend more time in the gym with a trainer than on the court. The weight and muscle mass still matches her build.

Oh, and tennis has been drug testing since at least the '86 Wimbledon. Heck, they're tested for EPO, like cyclists, in addition to steroids and other performance enhancers. They're tested for pseudoephedrine, even.

[joeybee12]

13. What makes me wonder about ALL women tennis players

these days is the number of injuries. Steroid use does make one more susceptible to injury, and it wasn't like this about 15 years ago. Could be the nature of the game, but then again there could be more going on.

[Poiuyt]

14. I agree Trumad. I no longer give the benefit of the doubt to any world class athlete

These people know all the tricks to masking the drugs they're taking (I've heard this from the cousin of an Olympic Bronze Medal winner). Just look at Barry Bonds. Does anyone believe HE isn't on performance enhancing medicine? But still there are a lot of people who will deny that these athletes are on steroids, HGH, EPO, etc. I guess we like to have our heroes.

[LSK]

15. Federer did not win the Sony Ericsson Open

Maybe he forgot his juice.

:eyes:

[Tektonik]

17. I doubt it

she's always been ripped; maybe she's always juiced :P