LONDON • Players competing at Wimbledon are set to be drug-tested more frequently in the build-up to this year's tournament as the organisers focus resources on out-of-competition testing.

Scarred by recent scandals in the tennis world, Wimbledon had announced on Tuesday that it was stepping up the fight against doping, without revealing any details.

But in an e-mail, the International Tennis Federation, which administers and part-funds the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), said Wimbledon had discussed its plans with the ITF and will focus its attention on out-of-competition testing.

The additional tests, which will be funded by Wimbledon, will be carried out by UK Anti-Doping (Ukad), the ITF said.

As a result, players competing at the tournament could be tested out of competition in the run-up to the June 27-July 10 event by Ukad on behalf of Wimbledon. They could also be tested in or out of competition, or both, by the ITF.

Wimbledon said in a statement on Wednesday: "In addition to the TADP in-competition testing, the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club) will be implementing additional anti-doping measures for The Championships 2016, the details of which are required to remain confidential."

Out-of-competition testing - which can be conducted at any time when a player is not involved in an event - is considered the best way to catch dopers.

REUTERS