British Tennis Forum - Celebrating 20 Years!

Barefoot · Intermediate Club Player

Tara Moore

christ · Challenger qualifying

I can only imagine that a lawyer has convinced her that she has a case - which may well be career-defining for the lawyer. If they lose (as is likely) nothing ventured, nothing gained; but if they win then drug-banned players will be beating a path to their door.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

christ wrote:
I can only imagine that a lawyer has convinced her that she has a case - which may well be career-defining for the lawyer. If they lose (as is likely) nothing ventured, nothing gained; but if they win then drug-banned players will be beating a path to their door.

Yes, that was my 'no win no fee'assumption

And based very much on the Tsurenko case

indiana · Tennis legend

Barefoot wrote:
That is utterly short sighted. Ultimately her career is over now - rightly or wrongly, she is still young and needs to find her next steps in life. Dwelling on what I know she believes to be an injustice is likely not going to give her fulfilment in her future endeavours.

I don't know what she really believes. i'd like to think that it was an injustice ( even though then of course absolutely awful for her ) and that she believes that.

Lambda · Masters Series Champion

Tara is suing the WTA for $20m.

https://www.essentiallysports.com/tennis-news-tennis-player-in-doping-row-demands-twenty-million-from-wta/?+Updates=

Her attorney, Daniel Weiss, said she is pursuing action over "the negligence that ruined her career." She has demanded $20 million in damages, according to a recent court filing.

The athlete's attorney said, "All this petition asks is for a federal court to ensure Tara gets what she was always promised: a fair hearing based on evidence, not a presumption of guilt."

"Tara Moore is a victim twice over: first of the WTA's negligence, and then of a fundamentally flawed anti-doping system that presumed she was guilty without any evidence of wrongdoing," he added.

JonH · Tennis legend

PTPA supporting Tara; using their legal firm and they are working with her pro bono.

www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/25/breakaway-union-stands-behind-tara-moores-20m-legal-battle-against-wta

christ · Challenger qualifying

Interestingly the lawsuit appears to be about the process, not Ms Moore's guilt (or otherwise). It appears possible that she (or her lawyers) could win on the "negligence that ruined her career" and "presumption of guilt" whilst not addressing the possibility of her being guilty of drug offences.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

christ wrote:
Interestingly the lawsuit appears to be about the process, not Ms Moore's guilt (or otherwise). It appears possible that she (or her lawyers) could win on the "negligence that ruined her career" and "presumption of guilt" whilst not addressing the possibility of her being guilty of drug offences.

In an arbitration process, there is no appeal to a court on a question of fact - that's already been done. The arbitration process sits alone.

The only appeal to a court can be on a procedural matter. To be honest, even the 'negligence' does not really count but the union (and Tara) obviously want to make their point, in the press, as much as in the court. Presumption of guilt is a potential breach of rule of law, human rights, etc and so is a more valid claim heading.

JonH · Tennis legend

Tara isnt appealing anything here of course, shes appearing to accept she was guilty. its a civil lawsuit claiming the WTA was negligent and wanting $20m in damages. Shes not appealing the ban or the decision or taking it to some higher court of appeal, its saying they were negligent and she wants to be recompensed.

As the Guardian writes:

Moore is now suing the WTA for negligence, arguing that it failed to warn players about the risk of contamination from eating meat, specifically before the tournament in the Colombian capital. She is seeking $20m in compensation for what the claim describes as reputational and financial ruin, arguing that the WTA failed in its duty of care to protect athletes.

-- Edited by JonH comes home on Thursday 26th of February 2026 07:48:06 AM

-- Edited by JonH comes home on Thursday 26th of February 2026 07:50:03 AM

Lambda · Masters Series Champion

She doesn't accept she is 'guilty', nor has she been proven to be guilty. She is suspended because, in the view of the CAS panel, she did not provide sufficient evidence that it was more likely than not that the source of the nandrolone was contaminated meat. Without that CAS had no option but to impose the default 4 year suspension that is in the ITIA anti-doping policy on receiving a positive doping test.

-- Edited by Lambda on Thursday 26th of February 2026 08:15:00 AM

JonH · Tennis legend

Lambda wrote:
She doesn't accept she is 'guilty', nor has she been proven to be guilty. She is suspended because, in the view of the CAS panel, she did not provide sufficient evidence that it was more likely than not that the source of the nandrolone was contaminated meat. Without that CAS had no option but to impose the default 4 year suspension that is in the ITIA anti-doping policy on receiving a positive doping test.

-- Edited by Lambda on Thursday 26th of February 2026 08:15:00 AM

fair enough, but the main point is that this isnt an appeal by her; shes suing the WTA for negligence. Which I dont think is about proving or fighting guilt or non guilt?

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

JonH comes home wrote:
Lambda wrote:
She doesn't accept she is 'guilty', nor has she been proven to be guilty. She is suspended because, in the view of the CAS panel, she did not provide sufficient evidence that it was more likely than not that the source of the nandrolone was contaminated meat. Without that CAS had no option but to impose the default 4 year suspension that is in the ITIA anti-doping policy on receiving a positive doping test.

-- Edited by Lambda on Thursday 26th of February 2026 08:15:00 AM
fair enough, but the main point is that this isnt an appeal by her; shes suing the WTA for negligence. Which I dont think is about proving or fighting guilt or non guilt?

No, I think there's some poor reporting going on

From the court papers I've seen, she's trying to vacate the arbitral decision - she's not suing the WTA

Code:

New York Southern District Court
Judge:    Andrew L Carter, Jr
Case #:    1:26-cv-01189
Nature of Suit    896 Other Statutes - Arbitration
Cause    09:0010 Petition to Vacate Arbitration Award

https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/63092158/Moore_v_WTA_Tour,_Inc

JonH · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
Lambda wrote:
She doesn't accept she is 'guilty', nor has she been proven to be guilty. She is suspended because, in the view of the CAS panel, she did not provide sufficient evidence that it was more likely than not that the source of the nandrolone was contaminated meat. Without that CAS had no option but to impose the default 4 year suspension that is in the ITIA anti-doping policy on receiving a positive doping test.

-- Edited by Lambda on Thursday 26th of February 2026 08:15:00 AM
fair enough, but the main point is that this isnt an appeal by her; shes suing the WTA for negligence. Which I dont think is about proving or fighting guilt or non guilt?
No, I think there's some poor reporting going on
From the court papers I've seen, she's trying to vacate the arbitral decision - she's not suing the WTA
Code:
New York Southern District Court
Judge:    Andrew L Carter, Jr
Case #:    1:26-cv-01189
Nature of Suit    896 Other Statutes - Arbitration
Cause    09:0010 Petition to Vacate Arbitration Award

https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/63092158/Moore_v_WTA_Tour,_Inc

Interesting - thanks for that CD. Inside track!!??