As the tennis caravan prepares to set sail for its annual Asian swing, the excitement is palpable. From the dazzling city lights of Beijing to the electric crowds of Shanghai, the hard-court season promises a fresh chapter for Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, and a host of tennis’s brightest stars. Yet, before a single ball is struck, an unusual off-court curveball has landed on players’ plates—quite literally. 

In a move that raised more than a few eyebrows, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) recently issued a food safety advisory to all players travelling to China. The world’s top tennis players have been told to avoid eating meat in restaurants as the ATP Tour heads to China over the next two months. The advisory comes amid growing concern over the use of banned steroids such as clenbuterol and ractopamine in livestock farming across China, Mexico, and Guatemala. What does the advisory say, exactly?

As per ITIA’s statements, “Players are urged to understand the risks of eating meat in these countries (China, Mexico, and Guatemala) during tournaments and seek other sources of protein (such as plant-based or fish) where possible.” With more than $30 million in prize money on offer and events like the BJK Cup scheduled, several players, like Coco Gauff and others, are expected to spend extended periods in China. The ITIA recommends sticking to meat served at tournament venues or official hotels, keeping receipts, dining with fellow players, and maintaining detailed food diaries to assist in any future investigations.

If players test positive, they can be exonerated if they are able to prove they ate contaminated meat. However, we often see them getting suspended while the investigation is ongoing, and in fact, they also have to spend money trying to clear their name. So, this is both a lengthy and expensive process! Do you know that the British doubles player, Tara Moore, was banned for four years after failing to convince CAS that her positive test for boldenone and nandrolone was caused by contaminated meat in Colombia?

There have already been quite a few doping cases in the past twelve months or so, including the cases of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek. So there have been some extra precautionary measures with all these things. The warning may seem surreal, but it underscores the delicate balance tennis stars must maintain. A simple choice of protein could, in theory, compromise a season’s worth of work.

The psychological toll of food-related doping risks and the fear of inadvertent doping have become constant undercurrents in the lives of top players. Food, once a source of comfort and cultural exploration during the grueling Tour schedule, now carries risk. In countries where language barriers exist (like China) and off-site dining is complicated, many athletes feel trapped in the tournament bubble.

Amid all these, both Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz will be looking forward to having a wonderful run at the Asian swing. Both these players failed to clinch the US Open title this season. Fans in China are eagerly waiting to welcome stars like Gauff, Fritz, and others. The players, while mindful of the off-court alert, know that the real challenge begins once the first serve is launched. Which are the tournaments these two Americans are going to play before the end of the 2025 season, though?

Upcoming challenges for both Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz

The end of the Grand Slams left Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff with mixed emotions—some victories, some heartbreaks, but one shared mission: keep climbing. Although Gauff managed to clinch the French Open title this year, Fritz’s best record at the Slam came at Wimbledon, where he reached the semifinals. But now, as the American stars pack their rackets for the Asian swing, their journeys converge in a region where tennis fandom runs deep and the competition grows fiercer with every round.

But before starting his Asian swing, Fritz will be representing Team World at the Laver Cup for a fifth time in his career. Following that, he will be taking part in the Japan Open, where he is a former champion (2022). Then, after that, he will be appearing at the two Masters 1000 tournaments in Shanghai and Paris, where there will be big ranking points offerings (max ranking points available—1000). Since he’s yet to secure his spot in the ATP Finals, these tournaments are extremely crucial for the American to get the boost he needs.

On the women’s side, the world number 3, Coco Gauff, has significant ranking points (2,690) to defend across the rest of the year. She has 1,000 points from the China Open and 390 Wuhan semi-final points, followed by 1,300 points from last year’s WTA Finals triumph. Gauff didn’t have a great North American hard-court swing, but now she’s back to where she did wonders last year. Can Gauff repeat a similar run and finish the year on a higher note yet again?