WIMBLEDON star Mikael Ymer has been hit with an 18-month ban over a doping violation.
Ymer is alleged to have missed three out of competition tests in a 12-month period.
APMikael Ymer denies any wrongdoing[/caption]
He denies the allegations but the Court of Arbitration for Sports have suspended him from playing professional tennis for 18 months.
Ymer released a statement which reads: “In January 2022, the ITF charged me with a potential anti-doping rule violation for having 3 missed out of competition test attempts in a 12-month period.
“I fought that charge at a hearing, and was cleared by an independent tribunal of 3 arbitrators in June of 2022.
“The ITF appealed that decision despite the fact that the 3 independent arbitrators who cleared me were appointed under its own rules, and asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reach a different decision on the same facts under which I had already been cleared.
“Yesterday, I learned that the Court of Arbitration for Sports has suspended me from professional tennis for 18 months, despite never having used nor been accused of using banned substances.
“Having already been cleared once, and wholeheartedly standing by the fact that I do not feel that the 3rd offence was committed, I find their decision to try me again and subsequently find me guilty, unfair.
“On top of that, I find it difficult to comprehend that they found an 18 month suspension to be a just punishment.
“I understand that these rules have been put in place to protect the integrity of our sport, and that they are there for a reason. However, I do not believe I broke those rules, and my conscience is clear with God as my witness.”
