Tennis

Tennis Malaysia hope player strives on despite setback

Tennis Malaysia (TM) hope the Malaysian player who tested positive for a banned substance in Brazil will not give up on the sport.

TM secretary Kamaruzzaman Kedah said the national body are in contact with the player and are following the matter closely.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) recently confirmed that the player had tested positive for a stimulant, listed under section S6 of the WADA prohibited list.

The player had travelled to Brazil to compete in an ITF tournament late last year and was tested there.

As the testing authority for this case, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) will manage the proceedings and decide on the suspension period, if any.

"We have already spoken to both the player and parent and provided counsel on this matter," said Kamaruzzaman yesterday.

"The player has already submitted a reply to ITF (explaining what happened) and will now wait for their (ITF) response.

"There has not been any mention of opening the B sample.

"As an affiliate of ITF, we have to follow the necessary steps and respect their decision.

"We have encouraged the player not to give up. The player has achieved some very good results and is still young and has a bright future.

"We are also looking at ways of helping the player should he or she be given a suspension."

It is believed that the player had inadvertently consumed an over-the-counter medicine for cold that contained the banned substance.

Kamaruzzaman added that TM will continue spreading anti-doping awareness among Malaysian players.

"I think it is important to keep educating our players. Spreading the knowledge and information is important as it can help prevent ignorance on the matter."

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