Marin Cilic, a former top 10 player, has been suspended for nine months for violating doping laws. The Croat tested positive for nikethamide, a banned stimulant that can disturb the user’s respiratory cycle, during the BMW Open in Munich in May.
The International Tennis Federation confirmed on Monday that the suspension was back-dated to May 1, which means the 24-year-old can return to action by January 31, 2013.
The fact that the current world number 24 consumed it without the intention of doing so helped reduce the duration of his ban.
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A statement from the ITF read: “The Independent Tribunal found that Mr Cilic ingested the nikethamide inadvertently as a result of taking the Coramine glucose tablets, and did not intend to enhance his performance in doing so, and that he therefore met the preconditions of Article 10.4 of the Programme, which entitles him to a reduction of the Period of Ineligibility for Specified Substance based on an assessment of his fault.”
The statement added: “Mr Cilic’s results subsequent to the BMW Open, up to the time that he accepted a voluntary provisional suspension are also disqualified, and the ranking points and prize money forfeited. A fully-reasoned decision will follow in due course.”
