Italian media have reported that former French Open finalist Sara Errani has tested positive for the banned substance Anastrozole.
The news of the failed test was broken by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. It has been reported that a sample of Errani’s urine showed traces of the banned substance. The test was reportedly conducted during the ‘first months’ of this year by the International Tennis Federation.
Anastrozole is a drug commonly used to treat breast cancer. It can be used as a masking agent, which hides or prevents the detection of illegal substances. The World Anti-Doping Agency states that it is a prohibited substance under section 4 of their code (Hormone and Metabolic modulators). Last year Italian rower Niccolo Mornati was handed a four-year ban after testing positive for the same drug. His ban was later halved after a successful appeal.
The Italian Tennis Federation is set to support the world No.98, who recently dropped out of the Rogers Cup without any prior warning. According to sources linked to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Errani will argue that she unintentionally digested the substance with the backing of the national tennis association. Although, there is no official word from the Italian. Should the ITF take her word, she could experience a ban as short as two months. The positive test was conducted at Errani’s home.
30-year-old Errani has been ranked as high as fifth in the world back in 2013. So far in her career, she has won nine singles titles and 25 doubles titles on the WTA Tour. This season she has achieved a win-loss record of 16-16, last playing at the Bstad Open in July. Her best result of 2017 was reaching the semifinals in Rabat in May.
If the positive test is confirmed, it will be the most high-profile doping case in tennis since that of Maria Sharapova. The Russian returned to the tour in April after serving a 15-month suspension after testing positive for Meldonium. She managed to reduce her initial ban of two years after arguing she was an ‘unintentional doper.’
UPDATE at 13:00
Errani will hold a press conference on Wednesday. It reported that the Italian Tennis Federation is helping prepare her case.
