Moorhouse, Itia: “The Sinner case was a lesson for tennis”

A package of aid: economic, psychological and legal, for the players involved in the investigations of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (Itia), the well-known Itia that we heard so much about during Jannik Sinner’s Clostebol case. The very investigation that our number 1 came under the microscope raised the debate and the popular feeling was that Sinners like Iga Swiatek were saved because they had greater economic resources to defend themselves. We talked about it with Karen Moorhouse, head of ITIA who spoke of the new measures as the “Start of a new approach: rigor yes, but also humanity”.

Mrs Moorhouse, ITIA has just launched its new player aid programme. What was the main motivation behind this initiative?

“We have long been aware of the impact that a disciplinary procedure can have on a person, not only on a sporting level but also economically and psychologically. We received feedback from our investigators and from the players themselves which highlighted the need for greater support. We wanted to respond to this real and human need: ours is a rigorous job, but behind every case there are people, families and careers at stake.”

Was there a particular case that made you realize that such a support system was now necessary?

“Not a single case. It was rather a path of awareness developed over time. Regardless of whether an athlete is guilty or innocent, being involved in an Itia investigation can radically change one’s life and career. If a sanction arrives, everything changes: calendar, economic income, professional relationships. For us it is important to be rigorous in the investigations, but also to remember that we are dealing with human beings”.

In Italy, after the Sinner case, there was a lot of talk about anti-doping and strict liability. Do you think the public struggles to understand how it works?

“The anti-doping rules are complex and it is not easy to understand them thoroughly. Unlike other sports regulations, in anti-doping the burden of proof falls on the athlete. If you test positive for a prohibited substance, you have to prove how it got there, in your body. This often surprises the public, who tends to think of automatic guilt. But the cases can be very different from each other and in some cases the violation can even be involuntary. A Unlike other sports rules, here it is possible to violate the rules without intending to. This is why our new program guarantees immediate legal support and assistance to analyze the origin of a positive test, for example through laboratory tests on the products consumed by the player.”

Do you also want to be more transparent in communicating cases?

“Absolutely yes, within the limits permitted by the rules. We publish the decisions in full on our website and we have also introduced explanatory videos on the most complex cases, to help the public understand them. We cannot comment on everything in real time for legal reasons, but we want to be as clear and accessible as possible”.

Education is one of the pillars of your strategy. Does it really work?

“Our main objective is to prevent violations. We carry out training all over the world so that players know the rules and know how to avoid risks. It is difficult to measure what doesn’t happen, i.e. the cases avoided thanks to prevention, but we can say that engagement is growing. And we have also recently activated a direct WhatsApp line with ITIA, widely used by players to ask practical questions and prevent errors”.

After the Sinner and Swiatek cases, is there more attention among players regarding doping risks?

“Yes, those cases turned the spotlight on. Many players, but also coaches and agents, asked us for clarification and advice. There was a growth in awareness linked to involuntary risks, especially in relation to supplements, medicines and travel. It was a collective lesson for tennis.”

Is product contamination a growing problem?

“We have had several cases due to contamination of supplements or, more rarely, of drugs. Supplements are the main source of risk, because the market is very vast and not always regulated. We only recommend certified products and tested batches. And our program now financially helps players to have suspect products analyzed in Wada accredited laboratories.”

Sanctions often target very, very low ranking tennis players. According to your research, are players with fewer economic resources more vulnerable to both doping and corruption?

“On the topic of corruption, unfortunately, yes. It is a historical fact: those who earn less are more exposed to match-fixing attempts. It is a global problem in sport, not just in tennis. As regards anti-doping, however, the cases are distributed across all ranking brackets. Of course, those with more resources have access to better teams and consultants, but the risks concern everyone”.

You have also activated free legal support through Sport Resolutions. Why?

“To ensure fairness. We don’t want a player to lose a case just because he doesn’t have access to a lawyer. Legal support starts from the beginning of the procedure, immediately after the positive test. This is fundamental because the most delicate decisions are made in the early stages, also regarding the analysis of suspect products.”

You have also included psychological support: there is more and more attention to the topic and Jannik Sinner also said that it is really very difficult to be subjected to the many phases of the investigation.

“An investigation can be emotionally devastating. Some players react with anxiety attacks, others isolate themselves. We have partnered with Sporting Chance to offer independent and confidential mental support. It helps manage pressure, media, family and the public consequences of the case.”

What are ITIA’s goals for 2026?

“We have three priorities: increasing training at all levels of tennis, strengthening communication with players thanks to our WhatsApp line and focusing investigations on the most serious violations, protecting those who want to compete honestly.”

What message do you want to send to young people who dream of a career in professional tennis and are taking their first steps?

“Get informed and ask for help when you have doubts. Keep our WhatsApp number handy and participate in the training programs: they are there for you. If something doesn’t seem right, if there is something that doesn’t add up, trust your instincts and talk to us. The staff must know the rules as much as the athletes. Their influence is enormous. We have training programs for you too: use them”.