Roger Federer wants global consistency in drug testing

Roger Federer believes more could be done in the war against doping in tennis after revealing he has been drug tested just once in Dubai during the 10 years he has owned a second home there.

The 17-time Grand Slam singles champion wants more consistency across the globe after suggesting out-of-competition testing in the United Arab Emirates is very lax compared to his homeland.

"I've been in Dubai for 10 years now and been tested once. That's not OK for me," the 34-year-old Swiss said.

"I get tested more in Switzerland because the guy from Switzerland lives in my village. He comes to see me the day after my surgery, and one week later.

"In certain countries, maybe the testing is not as serious as in Switzerland. I would like to see that across the board to be the same way and fair.

"But I think tennis is doing more and more. I really don't think there is a major problem.

"Tennis is doing a lot better than it has in the past. We're getting more professional. The programme is getting bigger and stronger."

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Federer was due to return from an eight-week injury lay-off on Friday at the Miami Open after he suffered a knee injury while running a bath for his twin daughters, but he pulled out of the tournament with a stomach virus.

During Federer's absence Russian star Maria Sharapova revealed she had tested positive at the Australian Open for meldonium, which was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's ban list on January 1.

"It was very disappointing news to say the least," Federer said. "Clearly I was very surprised. I thought she was going to announce retirement or something. But it also shows the famous players can get caught in the system that seems to be working."

It was very disappointing news to say the least. Clearly I was very surprised.

Former world No 1 Sharapova said she did not check updated lists to see what changes were made to the banned list for 2016.

"I know what I take," Federer said. "You have got to be sure. That's why I quadruple check what I take. I don't want to take any chances whatsoever."

Federer said he tends to give fellow players the benefit of the doubt, but is sceptical when those who test positive plead ignorance or accident.

"I'm naive maybe in the fact that I believe athletes," Federer said. "Clearly when they get caught, you turn. You are like, 'I can't believe they tried to do that, forgot about it', whatever."

Federer said he would like to see more done to combat dope cheats, including keeping blood samples on players from every event for 10 years so updated testing methods can be used to detect violations many years later.

"You could be punished retroactively," said Federer. "I'm a big believer in that."