Today in Tennis

Sharapova suspended for 2 years. 

Maria was suspended for two years included time already served.  She will eligible to play again on Jan. 25, 2018.   An ITF investigative panel concluded that her violation was unintentional, but noted that on a disclosure form that players are required to fill out, which lists all substances taken that might interfere with a drug test, Sharapova did not disclose her use of meldonium.  The committee found “untenable” her explanation that she didn’t think it was important to list on the form every single thing she ingests.

Meldonium has anti-ischemic effects in ischemia-reperfusion experiments involving the rat heart, and supposedly encourages cells to burn glucose rather than fat by inhibiting carnitine synthesis.  As energy can be obtained more quickly from glucose, one could envision a mechanism whereby this substance would increase exercise tolerance.  However, in my own review of the literature, the effect of meldonium on exercise tolerance has never been tested.   It also should be understood that in heavy exercise, glucose (and its metabolite, pyruvate, which is sent to the oxidative phosphorylation cycle in the presence of oxygen, and is converted to lactic acid via lactate dehydrogenase in the setting of hypoxia) is always the favored substrate, so this metabolic effect might not be very significant.

 So, does meldonium improve athletic performance?  As far as I can tell, there is no scientific study that addresses this question.  Nonetheless, the finding that Sharapova’s explanation for failing to disclose her use of this substance was untenable seems valid. 

Stating that the punishment is too harsh, Sharapova is appealing the suspension.  Regardless of the results of that appeal, the suspension has already had a significant impact on Sharapova’s career.  She has lost endorsements, potential prize money and ranking points, and she is no longer a youngster.  Of course, Sharapova will be fine in the long run.  But players should realize that sanctions of this kind could be devastating to those who are less successful than she.  If I were in their place, I would organize and demand a meaningful justification for inclusion of any substance on the banned list.

Federer reappears. 

After a series of tournament withdrawals due to illness and injury, Roger Federer played today in Stuttgart, where his second round match with Taylor Fritz was interrupted by rain.  Federer looked quite fit.  His movement was hard to evaluate, as Fritz is a power merchant with whom long rallies on grass are very infrequent.  Federer did make a couple of very difficult volleys in the few games played, so that aspect of his timing seemed OK.   He missed a couple of backhand slices that one might have expected him to make.   Overall he looked pretty good.

Del Potro plays. 

            Juan Martin Del Potro also played yesterday in Stuttgart, beating Dimitrov in a first round match.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that he can keep it going this time!