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Dayana Yastremska provisionally suspended after positive doping test

Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska has been provisionally suspended after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found a banned substance in an out-of-competition urine sample, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed; Yastremska has denied having used performance enhancing drugs

Thursday 7 January 2021 16:35, UK

Dayana Yastremska, of Ukraine, returns a shot to Naomi Osaka, of Japan, during the third round at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in New York.
Image: Dayana Yastremska has been provisionally suspended for doping, but she denies using drugs

Ukrainian rising star Dayana Yastremska has been provisionally suspended from all tennis activity following a positive doping test.

A urine sample given by the 20-year-old, ranked 29th in the world, in an out-of-competition test on November 24 was found to contain a metabolite of mesterolone, a synthetic testosterone.

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In a statement on Twitter, Yastremska denied committing an offence, saying: "I firmly state that I have never used any performance enhancing drugs or any prohibited substances.

"I am astonished and under shock, particularly given that two weeks prior to this test I tested negative at the WTA event in Linz.

"Only a very low concentration of mesterolone metabolite was detected in my urine. Given that low concentration and given my negative test two weeks earlier, I have received scientific advice that the result is consistent with some form of contamination event.

"Due to the confidentiality of the proceedings, you will understand that I am not able to share any further information at this stage. However, I am currently working with my team and you can be assured that I am resolutely determined to do everything to clear my name."

Dayana Yastremska, of Ukraine, returns to Venus Williams, of the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, in New York
Image: Yastremska believes the positive test was the result of a "contamination event"

Mesterolone is a non-specified substance, meaning a positive test carries a mandatory provisional suspension.

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Yastremska was charged with an anti-doping rule violation on December 22 and the provisional suspension takes effect from January 7.

The Ukrainian chose not to challenge the provisional suspension. A full hearing into the case will take place at a later date.

Yastremska has won three WTA titles, the first two when she was only 18, and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2019.

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