The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has stated it intends to run spot checks for performance-enhancing substances for "the remainder of this year and definitely next year".

Although Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati have reacted badly to the plan, the WTA insists it is to proceed with the tests.

Are the WTA right to test players unannounced?

As you well know from the interviews posted on the net. Venus is not opposed to the testing. She is opposed to a non -protocol or lack of a security model to protect the players safety. Should these ladies just open their doors to any person who shows up an claims to represent the ita without positive ID.
McRay, USA

The objections of Williams and Capriati might appear a little more sincere were it not for the fact that these women are far more muscular than the majority of men in the game. If their physique is the genuine result of training without any form of substance assisistance then they have nothing to fear and they should be pleased to assist the WTA in stopping substabce abuse before it takes hold of the game.
steve, UK

I have noted with pleasure that many key players have spoken out in favour of random drug testing in the past. Is it not perhaps a little suspicious that these tennis stars are not in favour?

The young women concerned are unusually endowed in height and musculature, even for highly trained athletes. Their physiques could be entirely natural, but I'd be more inclined to believe it if they weren't protesting.
Aly, UK

I can't understand why these top players should object to testing out-of-competition. The more cynical of us would say it was an admission to (previously or currently) taking performance enhancing drugs themselves. Many other sports, especially athletics, appear to welcome drug testing with open arms.
Robin Churchill, Jersey

How can they object? It should have been done years ago. The only way to keep the drug cheats out is to have them not knowing when they will be tested. At the same time it must be random and involve more than the 50 tests done by the ATP. The more tests the better to show the players and public that tennis is drug free.
Scott Campbell, UK

Absolutely. All high profile sports people should expect to be scrutinized in such a way, considering the huge amounts of money available. It seems a small imposition to me considering the rewards for top players.
Tim, UK

Sports personalities are heroes to the younger generation, and as such should behave with dignity and respect. In every other sport, to my knowledge, random drug tests are a major thing. In fencing for example you face a life time ban, no parole, even at the grass roots level.
Steve Tarrant, London

So they don't want drug testers turning up on the doorsteps of the mansions that they paid for with their tennis prize money?

It's time they joined the real world. They live a privileged existence and dope testing is a small inconvenience to pay for that existence.
Emma, UK

I find it so curious that it is only now that drug testing is being introduced. After so much success by the Williams sisters, this is the chance the media have been waiting for to tarnish thier image. Naturally the media is looking for anything to knock them down. something they have been very good at over the decades. To be honest, I already see what's coming.....
B, UK

I find it very suspicious that certain 'power players' are protesting to this random drug testing. What are they trying to hide?
Louise Lowry, England

Top class athletes in many fields have been subjected to these tests for many years, why should tennis players be any different? Perhaps Ms Williams and Ms Capriati are protesting a little too much?

Any player who has nothing to hide should welcome these tests in order to rid the sport of underhand tactics and those who win by taking drugs to gain advantages over others....which does not make winners in my book!
Claire, UK

It seems suspicious that the top women players would have objections to a procedure that will protect the dignity of the game. It is very interesting to note that it is these players who are taller, muscular and more physically capable than the average female athlete.
Diana, USA

Obviously, players should know that regular drug testing is part of sport these days. I just hope tests will be conducted fairly across all WTA players rather than focusing on one or two individuals. In general, I hope the reason behind this is nothing to do with the fact that some players are more successful than others.
Cyprian Clement, UK

Of course they need to be tested. Sportsmen and women have proved time and time again that the lure of money far outweighs any notion of sportsmanship. The cheats must be exposed.
Damion, UK

Opposing random testing should raise some eyebrows. Every other sport does it, so why not tennis? It is a burden of the profession. They complain about invasion of privacy but I am sorry, if you are earning the bundle they earn and are being the centre of attention you have to at least play fair and demonstrate it to the world. In the end, they owe part of their fame and fortune to us anyway.
Nelson, USA