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Under investigation, tennis star Alize Cornet faces two-year ban for missing three doping tests

Frenchwoman issues statement saying tennis governing body ‘didn’t want to hear’ her explanation for missed tests

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Alize Cornet hits a return against Elise Mertens at the Australian Open. Photo: AFP
Agence France-Presse

French tennis star Alize Cornet has been placed under a disciplinary investigation after missing three random drug tests, anti-doping officials said Thursday.

The 27-year-old, ranked 42 in the world, missed the tests in a 12-month period with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) saying she would not be considered for Fed Cup duty while the inquiry was ongoing.

The International Tennis Federation’s Tennis Anti-Doping Programme said Cornet was charged on January 11 with “a violation of Article 2.4 – (failing three times in any 12-month period … to be available for testing at the declared whereabouts)”.

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Cornet issued a statement claiming the ITF “didn’t want to hear” her reasons for the missed tests, but the tennis body disputed this.

It said all the correct processes were “followed in all three instances”.

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“No further comment will be made pending determination of the case, except as may be necessary to respond to public comment by Ms. Cornet or her representatives,” it added.

Alize Cornet will not play in France’s Fed Cup tie against Belgium in February. Photo: AFP
Alize Cornet will not play in France’s Fed Cup tie against Belgium in February. Photo: AFP
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