Spears charged with anti-doping rule violation

Another day, another doping allegation. This time, the charge comes against well-liked doubles expert Abigail Spears. The American was found to have been using testosterone and prasterone during the US Open, two banned substances listed by WADA.

Spears is currently ranked No. 35 in doubles, has won 21 doubles WTA titles and captured the Australian Open mixed doubles crown in 2017.

The 38-year-old may have a case in court. In an Instagram post, Spears laid out the situation in detail, explaining her prescribed supplements contained an illegal substance.

Spears is the ninth doping violation this year (there were eight violations in 2018, and six in 2017). The most notable violation in recent years has been Maria Sharapova testing positive for meldonium.

For now the suspension is only provisional, meaning that the ITF is still pending a case against Spears. Regardless of what happens next, the American will miss, at least the start of the 2020 season.

Her last tournament was the China Open in September where she and her partner, Nadiia Kichenok, lost in the first round.