Acapulco's ATP 500 Tournament Implements Meat Ban
In a significant move for athlete safety, the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco, scheduled for February 23 to March 1, 2026, will prohibit participants from consuming meat. Tournament organizers enacted this rule to protect players from banned substances that can contaminate meat due to the widespread use of steroids in livestock farming. This decision follows repeated warnings from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about the specific risks associated with meat consumption in certain regions.
Root of the Problem: Contaminated Livestock
The ban stems from a known practice in countries like Mexico and Colombia, where farmers frequently use anabolic steroids, such as boldenone, to fatten cattle. This issue has already triggered doping scandals in professional tennis. In February 2025, Brazilian player Nicolas Zanellatto was cleared of charges after boldenone was found in his sample from a tournament in Colombia; an investigation concluded the substance came from contaminated meat.
A similar ordeal involved British tennis player Tara Moore, who spent 19 months proving her innocence after banned substances were detected in her system. To prevent such career-threatening incidents, tournament officials have opted for a preemptive meat ban. Players will be offered a range of alternative protein sources, including:
- fish
- seafood
- eggs
- dairy products
- legumes
The Acapulco meat prohibition represents a novel approach in the fight against doping in sports, with organizers hoping it will safeguard competitors from the negative consequences of tainted food. This initiative highlights the growing focus on inadvertent doping in tennis, where contaminated diets can derail an athlete's career. By creating a safer competitive environment through new measures and approved alternatives, the tournament may set a precedent for other sporting events facing similar challenges.