World No.1 Novak Djokovic has become the latest top player to weigh in on the provisional suspension of former top 50 player Nicolas Jarry for failing a drugs test.
The 24-year-old Chilean player is currently provisionally suspended from competition after testing positive for two prohibited substances during the Davis Cup finals last September. One of Jarry’s urine samples tested positive for the anabolic agent ligandrol and anabolic steroid stanozolol. He will attend an ITF hearing in the near future where he will have the opportunity to argue his case.
Questioned about Jarry, Djokovic said he believes his fellow competitor didn’t intentionally mean to violate doping regulations. Echoing a similar opinion previously expressed by Rafael Nadal. The two players are yet to play against each other on the tour.
“I am not sure what is his case. I cannot say if he is innocent or not, because I do not know, but he should definitely try his best, if he feels that a suspension is not his due, to prove his innocence.” La Tercera quoted Djokovic as saying.
“You know, we try to keep the sport clean, absolutely. I support that we have to be tested as many times as necessary. And I don’t think Jarry is a dope guy. I don’t know him so well, but he doesn’t seem like a person who wants to break the rules. You see a very good guy who works hard and likes tennis. It seems not to be the case. Hopefully I can return to the courts soon. ”
Jarry has insisted that his positive test was due to accidental cross-contamination. Blaming the consumption of multivitamins made in Brazil. In a statement Jarry said he was advised by a doctor to take those multivitamins and was told ‘it was free from banned substances.’ He described the amount detected in his sample as ‘trillionths’ and insisted that it would have had no impact on his performance. Jarry failed to win a match in his last eight tournaments played during 2019.
Jarry’s claims of accidentally doping have drawn sympathy from the 17-time grand slam champion. Who drew some parallels to that of compatriot Viktor Troicki. Troicki was handed an 18-month ban (which was later reduced to 12 months) for failing to give a blood test at the 2013 Monte Carlo Masters. Although he argues that the doping control officer, Elena Gorodilova, said he was able to skip the test due to illness and his fear of needles. Something she denied, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the Serbian should have been given clearer information about the consequences of failing to provide a blood sample.
“Look, one of my best friends in life, Viktor Troicki, was suspended for 18 months, without positive in any substance. I know how difficult that journey was for him. I was with him always supporting him, because I knew what had happened and I had no doubt that he was innocent. For Viktor it was a huge injustice.” Djokovic commented on the case.
Jarry will attend a hearing with the International Tennis Federation later this year when he will find out if he will receive a ban from the sport or not.
Jarry’s statement of defence
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