Dayana Yastremska ineligible for Australian Open after CAS dismisses doping appeal
Dayana Yastremska travelled to Melbourne for the Australian Open and spent 14 days in quarantine, saying the positive test was the result of a "contamination event" but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have now dismissed her appeal
Wednesday 3 February 2021 18:12, UK
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have dismissed an appeal by Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska who was provisionally suspended for doping, leaving her ineligible to play in the Australian Open.
The 20-year-old, ranked 29th, tested positive for a metabolite of a synthetic testosterone in an out-of-competition urine sample and was provisionally suspended on January 7 pending a full hearing into the case.
Yastremska protested her innocence, citing the possibility of contamination, and travelled to Australia in the hope an appeal would enable her to play in the Australian Open beginning on February 8.
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The International Tennis Federation (ITF) had denied Yastremska's application to have the suspension lifted, prompting the world No 29 to approach the CAS to hear an urgent appeal so she could play in the year's first Grand Slam.
"The provisional suspension imposed on Dayana Yastremska in the challenged decision remains in force until a final decision is rendered by the ITF," CAS said in a statement.
Yastremska, who had travelled to Australia in the hope that her suspension would be overturned before the Australian Open, issued a statement on Twitter.
"I would like to underline that the decision taken by the ITF Independent Tribunal and CAS are only related to the provisional suspension," she said. "Now comes the time to defend myself about the matter in dispute.
"I can't express my disappointment about not taking part in the first Slam of the year. I remain determined to demonstrate my innocence and clear my name."
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The ITF said in a statement that Yastremska "remains ineligible to compete" pending a final resolution of her case.
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