Jenson Brooksby has spoken out after an 18-month suspension by the ITIA for three missed tests.
In July of this year, American tennis player Jenson Brooksby agreed to a provisional suspension for three ‘whereabouts failures’ from 2022. The ITIA announced in a statement on Tuesday, October 24, that Brooksby would receive an 18-month competitive ban.
The CEO of the governing body, Karen Moorhouse, said in the statement that the program is an essential component of the sport. She asked every player to follow the guidelines and make the required preparations.
Moorhouse issued a statement: “The whereabouts program is a vital tool in maintaining a clean sport. No one wants players to fall foul of the rules in this way. We urge all players to take the necessary steps to ensure that they are meticulous with their whereabouts filings.”
Jenson Brooksby revealed his account of events surrounding the three tests after they were made public. He stated that although he accepted responsibility for two of the three tests he failed, he is not at fault for the second test, which was missed on June 4, 2022.
Brooksby issued his statement on Instagram and wrote: “I am very disappointed to learn that I have been suspended for 18 months for 3 missed tests. I have never taken a banned substance in my life. I was open and honest with ITIA throughout my case. I understand that it is my responsibility and will learn and grow. I accepted that two of my missed tests were my fault, but I maintain that my June 4, 2022, missed test should be set aside.”
He made hints about being the victim of poor management and communication between the hotel staff and the ITIA official. According to Brooksby, the hotel room was reserved under his physiotherapist’s name. Furthermore, despite his repeated requests for his name to be added to it, the ITIA official was misinformed and told he hadn’t checked in.
He added: “I was in my hotel room for the entirety of my 1-hour testing window. The hotel room had been booked for the first part of my stay in the name of my physiotherapist, who was staying with me, because ATP did not provide me with a room until June 4. Starting on June 4, the room was in my name, but I had asked that my name be added to the room days before that.”
According to Jenson Brooksby, the doping control officer did not attempt to contact him until the very end of the scheduled frame.
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Jenson Brooksby in 2023
LWWLWWW Ranked world no.301, Jenson played his last match on the 21st of January when he lost to world no.12 Tommy Paul 6-1 6-4 6-3 in the 3rd round of the Australian Open (draw).
At present, during this year Jenson has achieved a compiled 5-2 record. Jenson Brooksby’s most significant accomplishment of the present year was getting to the semifinal in Auckland.
