Former world No. 33 on the ATP Tour, Jenson Brooksby faces a provisional suspension for missing three doping tests.
The 22-year-old American player, currently ranking No. 101, accepted the temporary ban with the intention of challenging the accusations through arbitration. Brooksby has been on the sidelines for nearly six months due to dual operations for dislocated wrist tendons.
The suspension comes at a crucial juncture, further setting back his comeback. Speaking over the phone to Associated Press, Brooksby confirmed he has not once failed a drug test or ingested illicit substances.
He affirmed his suspension was solely due to "whereabouts failures", a technicality under the doping regulation that penalizes players for missing scheduled tests, irrespective of a positive result.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which oversees doping cases in tennis, has levied the provisional suspension. Howard Jacobs, Brooksby's attorney, has voiced confidence in their case, arguing that the 'whereabouts' rule can be particularly challenging for players due to their travel-heavy schedules. He expects an arbitration hearing for Brooksby in the coming months.
In a press statement shared by his advisor, Amrit Narasimhan, Brooksby denied any wrongdoing. He emphasized his respect for the anti-doping protocols, acknowledging their role in maintaining the sport's integrity.
However, he also noted a discrepancy with one of the alleged missed tests, asserting he was present at his disclosed location – the official hotel for an ATP tournament in the Netherlands – at the specified time.
"As of July 5,2023, I will be accepting a provisional suspension due to an allegation of three missed tests in a 12-month period. The provisional suspension is not an admission that I have done anything wrong; to the contrary, I have denied this charge and am waiting for an arbitration with an independent tribunal."
"The protocols of the anti-doping program are in place to protect the integrity of our sport, and I respect and support these protocols. I have never failed a drug test, and I have never taken any substances that I was not allowed to take. I have been tested numerous times, including 3 times after surgery in March 2023."
"One of the alleged missed tests occurred on June 4th, 2022, in St. Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, 2 days before the start of the ATP 250 in St. Hertogenbosch. At the time of that test attempt, I was at the official tournament hotel where I said I would be, and in my hotel room, and the time that I had said I would be there."
"I look forward to providing all the evidence and explaining what happened to an independent panel of arbitrators. This year has been filled with tremendous adversity and I am looking forward to putting all this behind me and getting back on tour."
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