Former Top 40 Barbora Zahlavova Strycova Found To Have Violated Doping Rules, Serving 6-Month Suspension
The ITF announced today that Barbora Zahlavova Strycova is currently serving a 6-month suspension for violation the tennis anti-doping rules. In a report, the ITF said Zahlavova Strycova ingested the banned substance sibutramine last October at the WTA Luxembourg event.
Zahlavova Strycova argued to an independent tribunal that she unknowingly took the drug while using the weight loss product ACAI Berry Thin.
The ITF took into Czech’s defense into consideration and reduced her sentence from a maximum of two years for a first offense to 6 months. Zahlavova Strycova’s suspension dates retroactively back to October 16, 2012 and will end on April 15, 2013.
Under penalty, she will forfeit second round ranking points and prize money earned at that event plus the Luxembourg WTA tournament where she lost in the first round, or a sum total of 17 WTA ranking points and $2,865.
The 26-year-old currently ranked No. 124 on the WTA computer and she’s been as high as No. 39 in the summer of 2012. She has not played on the WTA since the ITF event in Ismaning last October. Until missing the Australian Open this year, Zahlavova Strycova had played in 18 straight Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the third round twice at Wimbledon and once at the Australian Open.
Also Check Out:
Wayne Odesnik Accepts ‘Voluntary’ Drug Suspension From Tennis
Almagro, Montanes, Kanepi, Szavay Win Titles: Weekend Wrap
Tennis Wedding Bells for Stepanek-Vaidisova, Tipsaravic
Richard Gasquet Facing Two-Year Drug Suspension
Wayne Odesnik Suspended Two Years From Tennis for Doping