American tennis player Jenson Brooksby has confirmed his acceptance of a provisional suspension imposed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following allegations of missing three doping tests within a year. The 22-year-old Californian maintains his innocence, asserting that he has never used prohibited substances or failed a drug test. He intends to challenge the suspension through arbitration.

Under anti-doping regulations, athletes can face penalties for three "whereabouts failures" in a 12-month period, even without a positive test result. Brooksby's lawyer, Howard Jacobs, acknowledges the demanding nature of the "whereabouts" requirements given the extensive travel schedules of tennis players. He expresses confidence in a positive outcome for Brooksby's case.
Jacobs also represents Simona Halep, a former world No. 1 tennis player who is currently serving a suspension for a failed drug test and facing a second doping accusation. Halep has denied knowingly using banned substances.

Brooksby's last tournament appearance was at the Australian Open in January, where he achieved an upset victory against Casper Ruud before exiting in the third round. He has since parted ways with his longtime coach and has been dealing with wrist injuries and personal matters. He expressed his desire to return to the court and put these challenges behind him.

In a statement released through his advisor, Brooksby reiterated his denial of any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the provisional suspension is not an admission of guilt. He stated his respect for the anti-doping protocols and his eagerness to present his evidence to the independent tribunal.
Comments(0)
Top Comments