The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has reacted to Novak Djokovic refusing a doping test ahead of his Davis Cup quarter-final match with Cameron Norrie.

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ITIA says players can undergo doping tests before Davis Cup matches

The ITIA explained that, unlike individual competitions, in the Davis Cup, players can be notified of doping control before matches.

“In team competitions, including the Davis Cup, players can be informed that they have been selected for control before matches. Samples can be provided when ready.

From the moment of notification until the moment of taking a sample, the players are under the supervision of a member of the anti-doping team” – ITIAquoted by France24.

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Novak Djokovic and the rejected anti-doping test: “This has never happened in my 20-year career”

After the match with Norry, Djokovic explained why the Serbian national team refused to undergo an anti-doping test. The head of the ATP reacted harshly to the agents.

“I have not yet passed a full doping control, blood has not been taken yet. One gentleman sat in the corner and stared at me for hours. I had a discussion with him, because in 20 years of my career, nothing like this has ever happened to me, I have never suffered.

I got the message an hour and a half before the game. I have my own routine and I don’t need to be distracted. To think about taking blood, to think whether I will be able to donate urine… An absolutely illogical decision.

When I spoke to the anti-doping agency representative, they told me that the reason was because it would be very late after the match and to give the other team time to rest, but then I told them that the winner of today’s duel will not play tomorrow

I’ve always supported testing, but not pre-game. What will it change? I’ll be there when the match is over, check me out then. A blood test is coming up. I hope they change this ritual. Interestingly, the anti-doping agency is a private company. There should be a discussion, as a world organization, in our ecosystem, so to speak, about having our own agency.

I don’t know what to add, everything I say will probably be interpreted differently. This is outrageous. There is nothing to hide, but there are certain limits. They do not understand what is happening here. I don’t understand sport, I don’t understand where it is” – Novak Djokovicreports Eurosport.

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• Novak Djokovic failed to win his second Davis Cup. Serbia won in 2010 and played in the final in 2013, but crashed out of the 2023 draw in the semi-finals (defeated by Italy).

Italy – Serbia 2-1, Davis Cup semi-finals

Lorenzo Musetti – Miomir Kecsmanovich 7-6(7), 2-6, 1-6

Yannick Sinner – Novak Djokovic 6-2, 2-6, 7-5

Yannick Sinner / Lorenzo Sonego – Novak Djokovic / Miomir Kecsmanovic 6-3, 6-4.

Know:

• Novak Djokovic has won the 21st consecutive Davis Cup for Serbia. He suffered his last defeat in 2011 (lost in the semi-finals against Argentine Juan Martin del Potro). The last to beat Nole on the court in this competition were Spaniards David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal (2009).

• Italy will play Australia, the finalists of the competition for the 49th time (they have won 28 titles, last in 2003) in the final action.

• Italy won the Davis Cup in 1976 and participated in six other finals (1960, 1961, 1977, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1998).