The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has revised the 18-month suspension of American tennis player Jenson Brooksby for missing three drug tests, reducing it to 13 months.
Initially imposed in October 2023, Brooksby’s suspension stemmed from missing three consecutive drug tests over a 12-month period. He acknowledged the provisional ban for his ‘whereabouts failures’ in two tests, backdating his suspension to July 5, 2023.
Following an agreement between Jenson Brooksby and the ITIA, his suspension duration has been shortened to 13 months. This adjustment came after the ITIA received “new information relating to the circumstances” of the missed tests during Brooksby’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Upon analyzing the new information, both the ITIA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) determined that Brooksby’s level of fault in the Anti-Doping Rule Violation was not as significant as initially assessed by the independent tribunal. Consequently, his suspension was reduced.
Furthermore, the 23-year-old’s suspension period will now be retroactively effective from February 4, 2023, the date of his third missed test. This allows him to resume competitive action as early as March 3, 2024. The ITIA has not disclosed the specific details of the new information leading to the reduction of Brooksby’s sentence.
Brooksby expressed his relief and gratitude on Instagram, describing the past 13 months as a “nightmare.” He thanked his friends, family, and fans for their unwavering support and extended special appreciation to his sponsors for standing by him during the challenging period.
“I am incredibly relieved and excited to return to what I love. The past 13 months have been incredibly challenging, and I wouldn’t wish this ordeal on anyone. To my family, team, and all those who have supported me, thank you for helping me stay strong through these tough times,” Brooksby shared. “I am immensely grateful to my sponsors for their continuous support; it means the world to me. And to my loyal fans – thank you for your encouraging words and unwavering support. Let’s do this!” he concluded.
