The so-called ‘silent ban’ in tennis is set to become a thing of the past after the head of world tennis called for the naming of players who has been provisionally suspended.
In an interview with The Guardian, David Haggerty is eager for more transparency in the sport following Maria Sharapova’s failed test. The former world No.1, who is currently suspended from the tour, confirmed in March that she tested positive for Meldonium during the Australian Open.
“We’ve discussed the possibility of announcing provisional suspensions, as a way to be transparent as to what’s going on,” Haggerty told The Guardian.
Under current rules, suspended players doesn’t have to be publicly named if they receive no form of penalty. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Brazilian doubles player Marcelo Demoliner served a three-month ban for a positive test. There are also suspicions surrounding an alleged positive test concerning Varvara Lepchenko. Russian media reported that the world No.64 tested positive for meldonium but received no penalty due to low levels of the substance. At the French Open, Lepchenko refused to comment on the reports.
Haggerty has expressed his desire to implement the more transparent approach after the Wimbledon Championships, giving other tennis organisations enough time to discuss the changes with their stakeholders.
“I think that you’ll see after Wimbledon some announcements because each of seven bodies has to go back to their stakeholders and have formal approval of things. But we understand the importance of transparency. We’re also doing that with the integrity unit; they’ve begun to publish a quarterly report.” He said.
Sharapova to learn fate by next week?
Haggerty also gave some limited information concerning Sharapova’s ongoing case. Under current legislation, the case has to be kept secret until a formal decision has occurred. Multiple reports have suggested that she attended a hearing two weeks ago in London, however, the ITF president couldn’t comment. Haggerty did however say that it will take approximately three-weeks to make a decision.
“It’s about a three-week process from when the hearing occurs until something is published.” Haggerty said.
The comment coincides with another report published by Russian website Sport Express. During an interview with Ekaterina Makarova, the interviewer revealed that Sharapova’s verdict has been suspended until June 9th, three weeks after her rumoured first hearing in London. The information obtained by Sports Express was from ‘unofficial sources.’
