"The drug tester followed me to the airport bathroom”: John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson share bizarre anti-doping test stories

Former American players John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson discussed their doping test experiences during the off-season on the latest episode of the Nothing Major Podcast. The trio opened up about their stories involving anti-doping tests.

Doping cases have marked the 2024 season, beginning in August when it was revealed that World No. 1 Jannik Sinner tested positive in March of this year. Later, Iga Swiatek also failed a doping test, resulting in a one-month suspension. Just a few days ago, it was reported that Australian Max Purcell (No. 105 in singles, No. 12 in doubles) is under provisional suspension for using banned substances.

Drug testers at airports? Isner and Querrey recall surreal experiences

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has a program designed to detect potential doping cases, requiring players to undergo testing anytime and anywhere during the season. Failure to be available for three tests within 12 months results in suspension, as was the case with Mikael Ymer, who missed three tests and received a harsh 18-month sanction.

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The former players shared their experiences during the podcast. "I think the tennis drug testing is the most strenuous and annoying," Steve Johnson said. "For the four of us, we had to give one hour a day where we would be every single day of the year, regardless, and they can show up at any given time."

In response, former World No. 8 John Isner revealed he was tested in an airport bathroom. "I went to the airport with a drug tester because I had a flight. I’m like, ‘Dude, I have a flight at 8 am, I just went to the bathroom.’ He followed me to the Tampa Airport. I told him once I finish with the check-in process, I’ll likely have to go to the bathroom, so I’m not going through security. I kind of told him that was the deal, and he’s like, ‘All right!’

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"Sure enough, I checked my bags in. Had him go through the security, and told him I could pee now. He went to the airport bathroom—that happened one time. If you don’t give him that sample, it counts as a missed test. If you have three of those, as we’ve seen with Jenson Brooksby [Steve Johnson: Mikael Ymer]. The two big cases on the men’s side, just flat-out three missed tests. They got full-on suspended for 12 or 18 months."

Sam Querrey also recounted a similar situation of being tested at an airport. "I’ve had the same—I’ve gone to the airport with the drug tester, and then he comes to the bathroom stall with me. We were together at the airport; it was absolutely brutal."