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Former world No. 43 Teymuraz Gabashvili has been handed a 20-month after failing a doping test. Gabashvili last played at the Stockholm Open, where he was beaten in the qualifying first round to Viktor Durasovic. Gabashvili is 36 years old and there is a good chance we won't ever again see him play tennis professionally.
"A decision has been issued under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (the "Programme") that Teymuraz Gabashvili has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1. That decision imposed a period of ineligibility of twenty months, commencing on 18 November 2021," the Itf's statement read.
Gabashvili tested positive for Furosemide
"Mr. Gabashvili, a 36-year-old player from Russia, provided a urine sample on 16 June 2021, in association with his participation in the Beeline Business Challenger held in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 14 to 20 June 2021 (the “Event”).
That sample was sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Montreal, Canada for analysis, and was found to contain furosemide. Furosemide is a Specified Substance that is prohibited under category S5 of the 2019 WADA Prohibited List (Diuretics and Masking Agents), and therefore is also prohibited under the Programme.
Positive tests for Specified Substances do not carry a mandatory Provisional Suspension," the statement read. "Mr. Gabashvili was charged with an apparent Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the Programme (presence of a Prohibited Substance in a Player’s Sample) on 22 July 2021.
Mr. Gabashvili admitted the violation and agreed to a period of ineligibility of 20 months under Programme Article 10.8.2. The period of ineligibility starts on the date of the decision, i.e. 18 November 2021. "This is Mr. Gabashvili’s first Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
The decision determines that: (1) Mr. Gabashvili has committed a violation of the Programme; (2) he must serve a period of ineligibility of twenty months; and (3) that period starts on 18 November 2021, and so ends at midnight on 17 July 2023.
In accordance with Programme articles 9.1 and 10.1.1, all ranking points and prize money obtained by Mr. Gabashvili at the Event are disqualified." Gabashvili's best days are behind him as he is now ranked at No. 270 in the world.