Things are getting a bit messy in tennis. Recently, Jenson Brooksby announced that he was suspended for missing three doping tests. The same has now happened to Mikael Ymer, who will not be able to compete for 18 months.
This was Ymer’s statement.
“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.”
Mikael Ymer in 2023
Ranked no.51, the Swede played his last match on the 7th of July when he lost to world no.56 Daniel Elahi Galan Riveros 6-2 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 3-6 6-1 in the 3rd round in Wimbledon (draw).
This year Mikael has achieved a compiled 24-18 record. Mikael Ymer’s best performance of the year was getting to the final in the Neuve Challenger.
He is also scheduled to play in Washington (Citi Open) after Hamburg. The main draw will start on the 24th of July.
Mikael Ymer |
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