SERBIAN PLAYER STEFAN MILIĆEVIĆ SUSPENDED UNTIL 2050

A 24-year ban from tennis. 😳🎾

Serbian player Stefan Milićević has been suspended until October 2050 and fined $70,000 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

The case involves allegations of fixing six matches — including five he played in — and attempting to manipulate six more between 2022 and 2024.

The ITIA also said he was charged with recruiting or attempting to recruit other professional players into a corrupt network.

According to the agency, Milićević did not respond to seven attempts to contact him during its investigation. The sanction took effect on October 9, 2026.

His suspension means he cannot play, coach at, or attend events organised or sanctioned by major tennis governing bodies while the ban remains in force.

The suspension is set to end on October 8, 2050.

A case that raises serious questions about integrity in professional tennis. 🎾

Do you think a 24-year ban is an appropriate punishment?

HUGE MISTAKE, SAYS NICK KYRGIOS AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR COCAINE

The ITIA confirmed on Wednesday that Kyrgios was suspended on August 4

Nick Kyrgios
AFP

Veteran Australian tennis star and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Wednesday that Kyrgios was suspended on August 4 after a sample he provided at an ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca in June tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

Cocaine is classified as a prohibited substance in competition. Under the provisional suspension, Kyrgios is barred from participating in or attending ATP, WTA, Grand Slam and other sanctioned events until the case is resolved by an independent tribunal.

Kyrgios, 31, has admitted to the offence, describing it as a “huge mistake” and taking full responsibility for his actions.

Take full responsibility

In a lengthy statement shared social media, the Australian apologised to his fans, family, sponsors and young followers.

“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it,” Kyrgios said.

He also opened up about the physical and mental toll of persistent injuries and the difficulty of coming to terms with the possibility that his tennis career could be nearing its end.

“The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally,” he said. “My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.”

Kyrgios stressed that his struggles did not excuse his actions but said the positive test had served as a wake-up call.

“I’m not going to make excuses,” he added. “None of that excuses what I did.”

The Australian said he will now step away from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his wellbeing and asked for privacy for himself and his family.

“I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better,” Kyrgios concluded.

- Jai Rai

FORMER WIMBLEDON WINNER'S BAN SLAMMED AS 'COMPLETELY INSANE' BY WTA STAR

 

Marketa Vondrousova with inset of Eva Lys

Marketa Vondrousova has been hit with a lengthy ban from tennis following her refusal to submit a sample during an out-of-competition test, but one of her fellow WTA players has come to her defence.

2023 Wimbledon winner Vondrousova has not competed since the Adelaide International in January and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) dropped a bombshell in April when it announced that she had been charged after she denied a doping control officer entry to her home to conduct the test.

The case went to a hearing and a tribunal has now found her guilty and handed down a long suspension as the starting point for a sanction when a player refuses a test is the same as if they had tested positive.

The 26-year-old Vondrousova, who peaked at No 6 in the WTA Rankings, will miss the next four years of action and her suspension will only end on 21 June 2030.

Fellow tennis star Eva Lys was one of the first to react as she offered her support to the Czech star, writing on social media: “This is COMPLETELY insane. Sending so much love to Marketa…”

Under international anti-doping regulations, players have to submit their whereabouts for an hour each day so that officials can conduct anti-doping tests.

An official arrived at her home in the Czech Republic last December to get a sample, but Vondrousova refused to allow the officer in stating she feared for her safety.

Tennis News

Following the announcement, the 26-year-old posted a message on social media to give her side of events, writing: “It is very tough for me to talk about this, but I want to be transparent with you about my mental health.

“The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress.

“For a long time, I’ve been dealing with injury, constant pressure, and ongoing sleep issues that left me feeling exhausted and fragile.

“It slowly wore me down more than I probably realised at the time. And on top of that, years of hateful messages and threats have affected how safe I feel in my own space.

“When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol – I reacted as a person who felt scared.

“In that moment, it was about feeling safe, not about avoiding anything. Experts confirmed I suffered an Acute Stress Reaction (F43.0) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (F41.1).

“In that moment, fear clouded my judgement and I just could not process the situation rationally. After what happened to Petra [Kvitova], we don’t take strangers at our door lightly.”

Although her charge didn’t come with an automatic suspension, Vondrousova has not competed in recent months with the case going to a tribunal.

Vondrousova stated her case at the hearing, saying stress and poor mental health had affected her decision-making, in addition to concerns for her safety.

But the tribunal concluded that the evidence offered “no compelling justification” for the test refusal.

International Tennis Integrity Agency CEO, Karen Moorhouse said: “We understand that the testing process is uncomfortable, and acknowledge that it is an additional burden for players whose jobs already come with a high level of pressure and scrutiny, but it is essential to protect fair competition.

“Safety and welfare of players and our testers is really important to us. Our testers are well-trained, professional, and the gender of our testing witness always matches the player. They carry ID at all times, and players are able to verify their identity in other ways if they are ever unsure.”

She added: “Unpredictable testing is an essential tool to protect clean sport.

“The independent tribunal ultimately supported that principle. This case is an important reminder that players can be tested at any time, in any place, and that refusal comes with significant risk.”

Vondrousova is free to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), but she is yet to make a statement following the announcement by the ITIA.

- Shahida Jacobs

PLAYERS ACCUSE TENNIS GOVERNING BODIES OF RUNNING 'CARTEL' IN LAWSUIT

Vasek Pospisil and Novak Djokovic are founders of the Professional Tennis Players Association. Photograph: Kelly Barnes/AP

The player advocacy organization founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil has launched a lawsuit against the governing bodies of professional tennis, marking an escalation in its battle to secure better rights for players.

The six-year-old Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which has struggled to drive change from outside the system, is now pursuing legal action against the ATP Tour, WTA Tour, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The 163-page complaint, filed in the US district court for the southern district of New York, lists 12 current and former players as plaintiffs, including Pospisil, Nick Kyrgios and Sorana Cîrstea. It alleges that the governing bodies have systematically suppressed competition, manipulated prize money structures and imposed restrictive ranking systems that prevent players from seeking alternative earnings. The lawsuit also accuses the ITIA of violating player rights through invasive anti-doping and anti-corruption practices.

In a statement announcing the lawsuit, the PTPA described the legal action as a necessary step after years of failed attempts to push for reform. “Following years of good-faith efforts to reform professional tennis, the PTPA has taken decisive legal action,” it said. “The lawsuits expose systemic abuse, anti-competitive practices, and a blatant disregard for player welfare that have persisted for decades.”

The lawsuit, a copy of which has been obtained by the Guardian, argues that the governing bodies function as a “cartel”, enforcing a rigid economic system that keeps players’ earnings artificially low. It highlights an example from Indian Wells, where billionaire tournament owner Larry Ellison was blocked from increasing prize money due to ATP and WTA regulations. The plaintiffs contend that this system prevents tournaments from competing for talent and forces players into unfair contracts.

“Tennis is broken,” Ahmad Nassar, the executive director of the PTPA, said in a statement. “Behind the glamorous veneer that the defendants promote, players are trapped in an unfair system that exploits their talent, suppresses their earnings, and jeopardizes their health and safety.”

The ranking system is another major point of contention. Players earn ranking points only by competing in ATP- and WTA-sanctioned events, which the PTPA argues forces them into an unsustainable 45-week-per-year schedule. Additionally, the governing bodies impose non-compete clauses and fines for players who participate in alternative tournaments.

Beyond financial issues, the lawsuit also highlights concerns about player welfare. The PTPA claims that the governing bodies have disregarded player health by forcing athletes to compete in extreme heat and late at night, citing recent incidents at the Australian Open and US Open.

The ITIA, which oversees tennis’s anti-doping and anti-corruption investigations, is accused of operating with little accountability, subjecting players to intrusive searches of their personal devices, repeated drug tests and lengthy interrogations without legal representation. The lawsuit suggests that these measures are used as a tool of control rather than genuine efforts to maintain integrity in the sport.

Pospisil, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, emphasized that the lawsuit is not just about money but about fundamental fairness and dignity. “I’m one of the more fortunate players, and I’ve still had to sleep in my car when traveling to matches early in my career,” he said. “Imagine an NFL player being told he had to sleep in his car at an away game. It’s absurd. No other major sport treats its athletes this way.”

The PTPA was founded in 2019 to represent players independently from the ATP and WTA, which also serve as the governing bodies for men’s and women’s professional tennis. The lawsuit alleges that the ATP has actively sought to suppress the PTPA, including by introducing rules that penalize players who affiliate with the organization. One such rule change removes eligibility for pension benefits and player council participation for those aligned with “adverse organizations” like the PTPA.

Djokovic has been vocal about the need for a fairer system, arguing that players deserve a larger share of the sport’s multi-billion-dollar revenue. “We need a system where players have a voice and can negotiate for their rights like athletes in other major sports,” he said in a recent interview.

The lawsuit draws parallels to historic legal battles in other sports, including Major League Baseball’s reserve clause case and the National Basketball Association’s fight for free agency. If successful, it could force major structural changes in professional tennis, including the restructuring of revenue-sharing models and ranking systems. It could also pave the way for greater player autonomy, similar to what has been achieved in leagues like the NFL and NBA.

Tennis’s governing bodies have yet to issue formal responses, though insiders suggest they will argue that the existing system is necessary to maintain competitive balance. A protracted legal battle is expected, with potential ramifications that could reshape the professional game.

For now, the PTPA insists that reform is inevitable. “Players are the product,” said one unnamed plaintiff. “Without us, there is no tennis. It’s time for the sport to reflect that reality.”

- Bryan Armen Graham In New York

TWO-TIME GRAND SLAM WINNER ADMITS TO DOPING AS TENNIS IS ROCKED BY ANOTHER DRUG SCANDAL

AP Photo

• Max Purcell has admitted to breaching tennis' anti-doping regulations 
• The two-time Grand Slam winner admitted he was 'devastated' by the news 

Australian tennis player Max Purcell has elected to enter a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to breaching the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that the 26-year-old had contravened Article 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, which relates to the 'use of a Prohibited Method'.

The ITIA said that his provisional suspension came into effect on December 12, 2024, but did not stipulate how long the ban would go on for.

Purcell, a two-time doubles Grand Slam winner, has also taken to Instagram to admit he was 'devastated' by the news and revealed that the breach occurred when he had 'unknowingly' received a transfusion of vitamins that was above the 'allowable limit of 100ml'.

He added that he had told the medical agency that he was an athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml.

As announced by the ITIA today, I have voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension since I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml,' Purcell wrote on Instagram.

'Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I had received was above 100ml, I was fully convinced I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods.

'But the records show that the IV was over that 100ml limit, even though I told the medical clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be below 100ml.

'This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure that everything is WADA safe. I volunteered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind me. I look forward to being back on the court soon.'

Purcell will now be banned for coaching or playing at any authorised or sanctioned event by the ITIA during his provisional suspension.

The ITIA wrote in a statement: 'The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that Australian tennis player Max Purcell has elected to enter into a voluntary provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

'Twenty-six-year-old Purcell, currently ranked world number 12 in doubles, has admitted to a breach of Article 2.2 of the TADP relating to the use of a Prohibited Method, and requested to enter into a provisional suspension on 10 December 2024. 

'The suspension came into effect on 12 December 2024, and time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.'

Purcell partnered with Jordan Thompson this year to reach the doubles final at Wimbledon, before going on to clinch the men's doubles title at the US Open, defeating Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow.

 He had previously partnered with Matt Ebden to win the men's doubles at Wimbledon in 2022, beating Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in the final. 

The 26-year-old is one of multiple players to have been embroiled in controversy with anti-doping authorities this year, after Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban for testing positive for a banned substance in November. 

The ITIA had accepted that Swiatek's positive tests came through contamination of non-prescription medication melatonin.

Jannik Sinner, who won this year's men's singles title at the Australian Open and the US Open, is another to have made headlines in March after he tested positive twice for the banned steroid clostebol. 

He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by the ITIA, who claimed that there was 'no fault or negligence' from the Italian. 

Shortly after the announcement, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the decision. The case is not likely to be heard until March 2025.

 - ED CARRUTHERS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

WADA TO APPEAL JANNIK SINNER DOPING VERDICT, SEEKS SUSPENSION

 

Jannik Sinner defeated Jack Draper in the U.S Open final earlier this month. Julia Nikhinson/AP

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against an independent tribunal's decision in August to clear world No.1 Jannik Sinner of wrongdoing after he failed drug tests, WADA said on Saturday.

The tribunal's finding of "no fault or negligence" was not correct under the applicable rules, WADA said in a statement.

WADA said it would seek "a period of ineligibility of between one and two years" for Italy's Sinner, who won the Australian Open and the US Open this year.

The announcement was made while Sinner was on court against Roman Safiullin at the China Open in Beijing.

Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was not banned in a decision by an independent tribunal announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Aug. 20 because the ITIA determined he was not to blame.

Sinner's accepted explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat their own cut finger.

WADA said it filed an appeal on Thursday to the Switzerland-based CAS.

"It is WADA's view that the finding of 'no fault or negligence' was not correct under the applicable rules," WADA said in a statement. "WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance."

WADA suggested the rules were not followed correctly despite a prosecutor for tennis's integrity body -- which accepted Sinner's version of events -- being a lawyer who regularly works on high-profile cases for the global watchdog, including the successful appeal against Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva.

An appeal verdict at CAS could come quickly -- even within just a few months -- if the parties agree to cooperate. That's how it worked in another high-profile doping case in tennis involving Maria Sharapova.

Still, the case likely won't be resolved before Sinner begins the defense of his Australian Open title in January.

Sharapova tested positive at the Australian Open in January 2016 for the newly banned heart medication meldonium. She was banned for two years in June that year by the International Tennis Federation.

The Russian star appealed to CAS, had an appeal hearing in New York before three judges that September, and four weeks later got the verdict that cut her ban to 15 months.

The entire process for Sharapova with CAS took just four months -- far shorter than most doping cases, which typically last for about one year. The timeline can stall with the complexities of picking a judging panel, finding a hearing date and parties exchanging documents and evidence from expert witnesses.

During the Indian Wells hard-court event in March, Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use. It's the same drug for which San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended by MLB in 2022.

Sinner tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample.

He was provisionally suspended twice by the tennis integrity body because of those test results, but he successfully appealed twice to an independent tribunal judge and was allowed to keep competing on tour.

Sinner said his test results happened because his fitness trainer purchased an over-the-counter spray called Trofodermin in Italy that contained Clostebol and gave it to Sinner's physiotherapist to treat a cut on the physiotherapist's finger. The physiotherapist then treated Sinner without wearing gloves.

The ITIA said it accepted Sinner's explanation, after 10 interviews with the player and his entourage, and the independent panel agreed at a hearing on Aug. 15.

Sinner later announced that he had fired his two trainers.

Information from Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

DJOKOVIC FAULTS TENNIS' 'LACK OF CONSISTENCY' AFTER SINNER RULING

 NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic gets why some tennis players question whether there's a double-standard in the sport after Jannik Sinner was not suspended despite twice testing positive for steroids, and said Saturday that he agrees that there is "a lack of consistency."

Sinner tested positive twice in March for an anabolic steroid, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.

The ruling was announced Tuesday, less than a week before Sinner begins the US Open as the No. 1-seeded man. Djokovic, who won the tournament last year for his men's-record 24th Grand Slam singles title, is the No. 2 seed.

"I understand the frustration of the players is there, because of a lack of consistency," Djokovic said. "As I understood, his case was cleared the moment basically it was announced."

Some players commented on social media after the news broke, wondering if Sinner caught a break because of his standing as one of the best players in the game.

"We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols. I can understand the sentiments of a lot of players that are questioning whether they are treated the same," Djokovic said.

Djokovic said the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded, advocates on behalf of players for clear and fair protocols and standardized approaches to cases.

"Many players ... have had similar or pretty much the same cases, where they haven't had the same outcome," Djokovic said, "and now the question is whether it is a case of the funds -- whether a player can afford to pay a significant amount of money for a law firm that would then more efficiently represent his or her case."

Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 US Open champion, said Sinner's case was a delicate issue.

"I think there's something behind this that a lot of people doesn't know. I don't even know. In the end it's something very difficult to talk about," Alcaraz said.

"In the end, he tested positive, but there must be a reason that allowed him to keep playing that we don't know. So I cannot talk a lot about it. He was declared innocent and so we have Jannik in the tournament, and so there's not much to talk about and I'm no position to add anything else."

- Associated Press

JANNIK SINNER AVOIDS BAN AFTER TWICE TESTING POSITIVE FOR STEROIDS

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March, but he will not be suspended after the International Tennis Integrity Agency on Tuesday determined that the banned substance entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist.

"I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me," Sinner posted to Instagram on Tuesday. "I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I continue to comply with the ITIA's anti-doping programme and I have a team around me that are meticulous in their own compliance."

Sinner won the Cincinnati Open on Monday and will be among the favorites at the US Open, which starts in New York next week.

During the Indian Wells hard-court event in March, Sinner tested positive for low levels of a metabolite of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid that can be used for ophthalmological and dermatological use. It's the same drug for which San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended by MLB.

Sinner tested positive again eight days later in an out-of-competition sample.

He was provisionally suspended because of those test results, but he successfully appealed and was allowed to keep competing on tour. He will, however, lose the $325,000 and 400 points that he had earned at the tournament in Indian Wells.

In its ruling, the ITIA said the low levels of clostebol from the tests on March 10 and March 18 were "a result of contamination from a support team member, who had been applying an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to their own skin to treat a small wound."

The support team member then passed along the anabolic agent transdermally via "daily massages and sports therapy" to Sinner.

In its statement, the ITIA it "did not oppose the player's appeals to lift the provisional suspension" and that "the violation was not intentional."

An independent panel held a hearing on Aug. 15 and "determined a finding of No Fault or Negligence applied in the case, resulting in no period of ineligibility," according to the ITIA.

ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said "Sinner and his representatives fully cooperated" with her group's "thorough investigation."

The World Anti-Doping Agency and Italy's anti-doping body are both allowed to appeal the decision.

"We are encouraged that no fault or negligence has been found on Jannik Sinner's part," the ATP Tour said in a statement. "We would also like to acknowledge the robustness of the investigation process and independent evaluation of the facts under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP), which has allowed him to continue competing.

"This has been a challenging matter for Jannik and his team, and underscores the need for players and their entourages to take utmost care in the use of products or treatments. Integrity is paramount in our sport."

Sinner made his debut at No. 1 in the ATP rankings in June and is considered among the top stars of the new generation in men's tennis, along with Carlos Alcaraz.

The Italian, who turned 23 on Friday, won the Australian Open in January for his first Grand Slam title. He reached the semifinals at the French Open in June and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in July, before sitting out the Paris Olympics with tonsillitis.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services 

AMERICAN BROOKSBY SUSPENDED FOR 18 MONTHS ON WHEREABOUTS FAILURES

An independent tribunal has suspended American player Jenson Brooksby for 18 months, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Tuesday, after finding that he committed three whereabouts failures in a 12-month period.

The 22-year-old, who achieved his highest career ranking of 33rd last year, previously accepted a voluntary provisional suspension and his sanction will be backdated to July 5. The sanction will end on January 4, 2025, according to the ITIA.

HALEP TO APPEAL FOUR-YEAR BAN FOR ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATION

Reuters 

Romania's former world number one Simona Halep said on Tuesday that she would appeal to sport's highest court against the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) decision to ban her for four years after two separate anti-doping rule violations.

The 31-year-old former Wimbledon and French Open champion had been provisionally suspended since October 2022 after testing positive for banned blood-booster roxadustat at the U.S. Open.

Halep was "shocked and disappointed" and blamed contaminated supplements, adding that she "refused to accept their (ITIA) decision of a four-year ban" which runs until Oct. 6, 2026.