Russian teenager banned from tennis for nine months following anti-doping breach
Sergey Bubka has been banned for nine months for taking a banned amphetamine to help him win the 2010 US Open men’s doubles title.The world number two’s ban has been confirmed by the US Anti-Doping Agency.Bubka’s suspension comes a day after he tested positive for the substance, which is a diuretic. He is believed to have used the drug when preparing for the first round at the US Open, at the time of his return from the French Open, because he was due to be away for a week from a medical procedure.The former world No.2 has not played since Monday, when he pulled out of a second round match against Adrian Mannarino due to illness and is currently recovering in a Moscow clinic. However, he could begin to play again as early as next week.Bubka and his partner, Aleksandr Nedovyesov, have been suspended for one year. The pair were banned last year after an out-of-competition test by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency showed an amphetamine in Bubka’s system. Bubka was then told he had to disclose the medication to the USTA as well as the results of all out-of-competition tests he had carried out since 2009.The two-time US Open champion admits that he was not at fault for the positive test, after a meeting with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and USTA officials.Bubka also said it was not his fault that he got caught, after testing positive for the drug following an out-of-competition test. “I will not be surprised if I am punished more than I expected by the Anti-Doping Agency and by the US Open,” Bubka said in a statement released by the RUSADA. “I would like to thank the anti-doping organisation, my former teammates, my family and my fans. “In the end of the day, there are mistakes that can turn out to be a positive result,” he said.Bubka has also been fined $1500 (£1050) for his positive