Home > Tennis: Czech Minar handed eight-month doping ban

Tennis: Czech Minar handed eight-month doping ban

PRAGUE, Oct 14, 2009 (AFP)

Czech Republic's Ivo Minar was on Wednesday handed an eight-month doping ban which will rule the 25-year-old out of December's Davis Cup final against Spain, the International Tennis Federation announced.

Minar tested postive for a banned stimulant, methyl-hexanamine, during the Davis Cup quarter-final victory over Argentina in Ostrava in July.

The player said that the substance had entered his body through a nutritional supplement called "Tight! Xtreme", claiming he had taken it on professional advice unaware that it was on the banned list.

"The ITF accepted Minar's explanation, but it is the responsibility of each player to be aware that a banned substance does not penetrate his body," said a Czech tennis federation statement.

Minar will not be able to play again until March 10, 2010 and will miss the Davis Cup final in Barcelona from December 4-6 as well as the Australian Open.

In July's quarter-final, Minar replaced injured Radek Stepanek in the day's opening singles, losing in straight sets to Juan Carlos del Potro.

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