Kim Clijsters questions Tara Moore’s 20 million lawsuit against WTA as doping ban controversy deepens (Image via Getty Images)
Kim Clijsters did not hold back as Tara Moore fights a 20-million-dollar legal battle and the tennis world watches closely. The former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters has called the entire Tara Moore case a “very frustrating situation” after the British player filed a $20 million lawsuit against the WTA.
Moore, once ranked No. 145 in singles and No. 77 in doubles, is currently serving a four-year suspension after failing an anti-doping test in 2022.Moore tested positive for boldenone and nandrolone during a tournament in Bogota, Colombia. She said the result came from eating contaminated meat at the event. An independent panel first accepted her explanation and lifted her provisional suspension. But the International Tennis Integrity Agency appealed that decision.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reinstated the ban. As things stand, Moore’s suspension will end in December next year.
She will be 35 by then. That makes a return to top-level tennis very difficult.
Kim Clijsters questions Tara Moore’s lawsuit against the WTA and calls the situation “very unfortunate”
Speaking on the Love All Podcast, Kim Clijsters said she had more questions than answers about the case. The 42-year-old Belgian, who won four Grand Slam singles titles and 41 career singles trophies, said the process left her confused.
“If she is innocent, then how hard is it to test the meat, and how hard is it to check how much it has an impact on the body? It’s just a very frustrating situation,” Clijsters said.Her words show concern, not anger. She made it clear that if Moore is innocent, then stronger checks should have been done. At the same time, she wondered whether suing the WTA was the right step.“And the fact that she’s suing the WTA, I don’t know, did she try to sue the tournament? Or was that not the way to go about things? But it’s such a very unfortunate and disappointing situation for every party,” Clijsters added.Moore’s lawsuit claims she suffered financial loss and damage to her career because of how her case was handled. However, the WTA has not publicly accepted blame. The ITIA has also stood by the CAS decision.This case has divided opinions in tennis. Some feel players deserve stronger protection if food contamination is proven. Others believe anti-doping rules must stay strict to protect fair play.For now, Moore remains banned. The legal fight continues. And as Clijsters said, it remains a very disappointing situation for everyone involved
