Dover’s Brengle settles lawsuit with tennis’ governing bodies over blood testing programs

Dover’s Madison Brengle has settled a lawsuit with the International Tennis Federation and Women’s Tennis Association over how they conduct their blood testing programs.

The long-time Top 100 player in the world suffers from a condition that makes inserting needles, including those for blood collections, painful and damaging, to the point she has partial paralysis of her arm, which has affected her serve, one of the slowest on tour.

Brengle sued the tennis organizations claiming battery, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress.

Her lawsuit said she wasn’t looking to avoid the anti-doping program, but rather create a system that would make those in her conditions able to be tested in alternate ways.

During the lawsuit, organizations have started World Anti-Doping Agency-approved blood spot testing, which was met with approval by Brengle’s camp.

Blood spot testing is done by collecting blood samples with either a finger or heel prick, and letting the sample dry onto filter paper, and then it can be stored with desiccant and later tested, according to the National Institute of Health.

“I am glad that the battle is over, but most proud of how the battle was waged and the contributions made to professional tennis,” Brengle was quoted in the statement.