Tennis Player Tara Moore Sues WTA Tour Over Positive Steroid Test

Moore claims she tested positive for steroids after consuming local food in Colombia, while the WTA warned players about food in Mexico.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Tennis player Tara Moore has filed a lawsuit against the WTA Tour, challenging a final arbitration order in favor of the organization. Moore claims that she reasonably consumed local food in Colombia and subsequently tested positive for steroids commonly used in Colombian cattle. In contrast, the WTA had warned players about food safety issues in Guadalajara, Mexico, but not in Colombia. Moore is seeking $20 million in damages.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges professional athletes face in ensuring the safety and integrity of the food they consume while traveling for competitions. It also raises questions about the WTA's policies and procedures for informing players about potential doping risks in different host countries.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Tara Moore, a world-class tennis player, claims she reasonably consumed local food in Colombia and tested positive for steroids commonly used in Colombian cattle. The WTA, however, had previously warned players about food safety issues in Guadalajara, Mexico, but not in Colombia. Moore is now seeking $20 million in damages from the WTA Tour.

  • On February 12, 2026, Tara Moore filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging the WTA Tour's final arbitration order.
  • The alleged positive steroid test occurred during a WTA Tour event in Colombia.

The players

Tara Moore

A world-class tennis player who is challenging the WTA Tour's final arbitration order in her favor.

WTA Tour, Inc.

The organization that oversees women's professional tennis, which is being sued by Tara Moore over a positive steroid test.

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What they’re saying

“Moore, a world-class athlete, reasonably consumed local food and subsequently tested positive for steriods commonly used in Colombian cattle.”

— Tara Moore's Counsel (innercitypress.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed and determine if the WTA Tour's policies and procedures for informing players about potential doping risks were adequate.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex issues professional athletes face when it comes to ensuring the safety and integrity of the food they consume while traveling for competitions. It also raises questions about the responsibility of sports governing bodies like the WTA Tour to provide clear guidance and warnings to players about potential doping risks in different host countries.