Dayana Yastremska provisionally suspended for anti-doping violation

The World Anti-Doping Agency announced on Thursday that it imposed a provisional suspension on world No. 29 Dayana Yastremska. The 20-year-old Ukrainian, who has won three WTA titles, provided an out-of-competition urine sample in late November. The sample was found to contain a metabolite of mesterolone, an anabolic steroid.

Yastremska was formally charged with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation a month later, and retains the right to appeal the decision to an Independent Tribunal.

“A few days ago, I have received a notice from the ITF that I was tested positive for mesterolone metabolite,” Yastremska wrote in a statement posted to social media.

“I firmly state that I have never used any performance enhancing drugs or any prohibited substances.”

Yastremska ended the 2020 season on a four-match losing streak, wrapping up her season at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz where, she adds in her statement, she tested negative at the doping test administered there.

“Given [the] low concentration and given my negative test two weeks earlier, I have received scientific advice that the result is consistent with some form of contamination.”

Ranked as high as No. 21 in the world, the Ukrainian is a former junior standout, reaching the girls’ singles final of Wimbledon back in 2016. Three years later, she made it into the fourth round of the same major tournament as a professional, upsetting future Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin en route.