France’s Alize Cornet has pleaded her innocence after being notified of a doping violation by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
The world No.42 has missed three drugs tests within the past 12 months. Putting her at risk of being suspended from the sport. Under guidelines by the ITF, players will violate the anti-doping policy if they fail to attend three drugs tests within a 12-month period. In 2015 Russian player Ivan Gakhov received a one year ban for committing a similar offence to that of Cornet.
Cornet, who was charged by the ITF on January 11th, has told French newspaper L’equipe that her third missed test was a ‘misunderstanding.’ Arguing that the anti-doping controllers were unable to visit her at home.
“With my brother (her then agent) we were very careful. We have not made any mistake on that last ‘no show’. I was at home and the controllers could not join me. It was a big misunderstanding,” she told L’equipe.
“That’s why I am really hopeful that this third ‘no show’ will help me be cleared because it was not my fault.”
In the past Cornet has spoken out against doping in tennis. Last year, she said that the WTA acted in a ‘shameful’ and ‘unjust’ manner after rewarding wildcards to Maria Sharapova following her suspension. Sharapova served a 15-month doping ban after testing positive for meldonium.
“I have always been clean. My position on doping is clear. The cheats should be heavily sanctioned. In the last 10 years, I’ve had about 100 tests, all negative,” said Cornet.
“I can look myself in the mirror. I am scared that I might get a suspension that would not be deserved. I feel like my career is in the hands of a jury and I hope they will understand my story.”
Cornet has been ranked as high as 11th in the world back in 2009. She has won five WTA titles and has played in 47 grand slam main draws. At this year’s Australian Open she was knocked out in the third round by Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
As a result of the violation, the 28-year-old is currently suspended from participating in Fed Cup ties. Her fate will be decided at a tribunal in March.
