Cornet under probe for missing drug tests

PARIS: Frenchwoman Alize Cornet has been placed under a disciplinary investigation after missing three random drug tests, anti-doping officials said.

The 27-year-old, ranked 42 in the world, missed the tests in a 12-month period with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) saying she would not be considered for Fed Cup duty while the inquiry was ongoing.

The International Tennis Federation’s Tennis Anti-Doping Programme said Cornet was charged on Jan 11 with “a violation of Article 2.4 – (failing three times in any 12-month period ... to be available for testing at the declared whereabouts)”.

Cornet issued a statement claiming the ITF “didn’t want to hear” her reasons for the missed tests, but the tennis body disputed this.

It said all the correct processes were “followed in all three instances”.

“No further comment will be made pending determination of the case, except as may be necessary to respond to public comment by Ms. Cornet or her representatives,” it added.

Cornet could be banned from the sport as World Anti-Doping Agency rules allow for a suspension of up to two years.

However, that could be halved depending on the degree of fault. Cornet will now have to prove that she had a legitimate reason for missing one of the tests. — AFP