Troicki Will Challenge His Doping Related Ban

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th July 2013

Troicki Will Challenge His Doping Related Ban

epa03765942 Viktor Troicki of Serbia during his third round match against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 29 June 2013. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

Victor Troicki will challenge his 18-month ban from tennis on charges of failing to submit to a post-match blood test in good time last spring, with the Serb supported by Davis Cup teammate Novak Djokovic. “I’m destroyed and exhausted. The whole period I have been thinking only about this issue,” said Troicki, who was given permission to postpone a post-match blood test last April 15 in Monte Carlo, taking it the next day and passing without problems.

But anti-doping officials in a secret tribunal charged him the offense of failing to take the test and slapped him with the sanction.

“I have a fear of the needle and I always have troubles drawing blood. But I always did. I am clean and will always be clean throughout my career,” said Troicki, who added that world No. 1 compatriot Djokovic had told him he “is sure it will end good because I am innocent, and that ATP should really back me up with this.”

Troicki explained that when he told the anti-doping official of his concerns and the fact that he was feeling poorly, she said he could have blood drawn the next day – which he did and which tested clean.

“I just had the wrong doctor who didn’t tell me at all that I was risking anything,” said the player. “She showed me a letter of the ITF saying she is in charge of the decisions and I trusted her completely.

I wish I had recorded the discussion, there would have never been a case if I did.

“I’m not even angry with the doctor. I believe that maybe she was told by her organization that she made a big mistake letting me go she backed up and tried to save her job.”

Troicki is set to take his appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sports in Lausanne. “It is not over yet, I really hope the CAS will look for the truth and find it, which is only one. The doping rules are strict and they must remain strict. But this was a clear mistake from the on-site doping control officer.

“I am 100 per cent sure that the CAS will consider my good faith and my total innocence. But now, this enormous sanction makes me speechless. It feels like the world that I help building day by day has let me down. I hope this nightmare will come to a good end, and I really want to continue playing. I don’t deserve this.”