French Open 2012 Finalist Sara Errani Gets Two-Month Doping Ban

The 30-year-old Italian, who reached the French Open final in 2012, tested positive for cancer drug letrozole.

Edited By: India.com Sports Desk

Published: August 7, 2017, 10:16 PM IST

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Sara Errani plays a shot during a match. (Getty Image)

Former world number five Sara on Monday was banned for two months after failing a drugs test. The 30-year-old Italian, who reached the French Open final in 2012, tested positive for cancer drug letrozole.

Errani’s mother had been using the drug as part of her treatment for breast cancer and had left pills on a kitchen worktop where food was prepared.

According to a report in BBC, a tribunal panel accepted the player probably ingested the substance through accidental food contamination.

But it was ruled Errani, now ranked 98, could have done more to protect herself.

Letrozole increases lean body mass and was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over concerns it was being abused by bodybuilders.

An independent tribunal, appointed by the International Tennis Federation, said there was no evidence it would enhance the performance of an elite tennis player.

Also read: Maria Sharapova Makes Winning Start at WTA Tournament in Stanford

It is the most high-profile drugs case in women’s tennis since that of Maria Sharapova, who beat Errani in the 2012 French final.

The Russian returned to the tour earlier this year after she was banned for 15 months on appeal following a positive test for meldonium.