Jenson Brooksby ineligible to compete until January 2025 after receiving 18-month ban

Jenson Brooksby will not be permitted to compete until the first month of the 2025 season after being suspended for 18 months by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) Tuesday for missing three doping tests over a 12-month period.

Brooksby had disputed his second missed test after accepting responsibility for absences with the first and third tests. But an independent tribunal found the American had a “high” degree of fault for the test in question after reviewing evidence presented by Brooksby, the Doping Control Officer (DCO) and additional witnesses.

“The whereabouts programme is a vital tool in maintaining a clean sport. No-one wants players to fall foul of the rules in this way,” said ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse in a statement released with the decision.

Brooksby was as one would expect, “very disappointed” with the outcome and shared his side of the story in a detailed Instagram post.

“I accepted that two of my missed tests were my fault, but I continue to maintain that my June 4, 2022 missed test should be set aside,” he wrote.

“No call was made to my hotel room for the entire hour, and the Doping Control Officer only called my cell phone (which was on silent) in the last four minutes of the testing window (at 6:56AM). Had the Doping Control Office called my hotel room even once, I would have for sure been tested, because I was awake and had nothing to hide.”

“We offer regular support and education to all players who are part of the whereabouts program and make ourselves available to answer any questions,” assured Moorhouse. “We urge all players to take the necessary steps to ensure that they are meticulous with their whereabouts filings.”

Brooksby began his 2023 season by reaching the semifinals in Auckland. He notably ousted then third-ranked Casper Ruud in the second round of the Australian Open before undergoing left wrist surgery in early March.

The specific anti-doping violation he was charged with carried a maximum sentence of two years. With Brooksby previously taking a voluntary provisional suspension upon being notified of the charge against him, July 5, 2023 marks the start date of the 22-year-old's ban.

The former world No. 33 has 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a path he intends on pursuing.

“I have been fighting injuries for almost a year, and my return to the sport that I love will unfortunately be delayed a little bit longer,” he declared.

If Brooksby's appeal is unsuccessful in landing a reduced sentence, his suspension ends on January 4, 2025.