The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected Dayana Yastremska‘s appeal against a provisional doping ban, so now it’s certain that the Ukrainian will not be permitted to play the Australian Open, even though she’s traveled to Melbourne and completed the quarantine period.
The world No.29 Yastremska tested positive for mesterolone metabolite in an out-of-competition doping test in late November. Her first request to lift the provisional suspension had been denied by the Chair of the Independent Tribunal, and now her appeal to the CAS has also been rejected.
The 20-year-old announced the bad news in a statement on social media:
I sadly acknowledge the decision of the CAS to dismiss the expedited appeal to lift my provisional suspension. I would like to underline that the decisions taken by the ITF Independent Tribunal and the CAS are only related to the provisional suspension.
The tennis star insists that she has never used prohibited substances and that she will clear her name. Her fight has just started:
Now comes the time to defend myself about the matter of the dispute. My team and I are confident in our ability to prove my innocence as the ITF Independent Tribunal will hear from me, witnesses and experts.
In the statement, Yastremska also point out that she will reimburse Tennis Australia for all the expenses of her trip to Australia.
