Sania Mirza denies 'looking into' Venus Williams' alleged doping controversy

Mumbai: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has refuted reports that claimed that Indian tennis star Sania Mirza and her mother Nasima have demanded the association to take up the issue of Rio 2016 silver medallist Venus Williams, who has allegedly used banned substances.

The issue first came to light, when a group of Russian hackers, named ‘Fancy Bears’ claimed that a number of US athletes, including Venus and her sister Serena Williams, were allowed to use substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Both Mirza, and her mixed doubles partner at the Rio Olympics, Rohan Bopanna stand to gain a bronze medal, if Venus is caught for doping.

However, according to the WADA rules, athletes may be allowed to use certain banned substances under the Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) rule.

While earlier reports suggested that both Sania and her mother Nasima have urged the AITA to take the matter up with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the apex tennis governing body in the country issued a statement, on Friday, denying the whole affair.

“All India Tennis Association has received no communication from either Mrs Nasima Mirza or Ms Sania Mirza or MYAS (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports) regarding the issue of WADA, as has been reported by a section of media,” read AITA’s statement.

Mirza herself went on to tweet a copy of the press release, calling the whole affair an “unnecessary drama”.