Tennis star slapped with 20-month ban after testing positive for two banned substances
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) have announced the 20-month suspension of Argentinian tennis player Romeo Arcuschin for breaching the sport’s anti-doping rules. Aruschin, 19, has been provisionally banned since February after testing positive for two banned substances, stanozol and clomifene, at an event in Peru in December.
Arcuschin did not dispute the findings of the test, but disagreed over the level of fault, as the case was referred to an independent tribunal. The hearing was told that Arcuschin received treatment from an experienced sports doctor following a period of injury, surgery, and rehabilitation, during which he was prescribed a 30-day course of medications, which included both stanozolol and clomifene.
Arcuschin, who previously was ranked 1,802 in the world, completed the course and unintentionally ingested the prohibited substances by doing so.
The doctor had not informed Arcuschin of the substances as part of the treatment for muscle atrophy, while the medication was also issued in unlabelled containers.
The tribunal accepted Arcuschin’s claims that the breaches were unintentional and accepted that the level of fault would be reduced due to the doctor’s actions and the player’s age and limited understanding of anti-doping regulations.
Arcuschin’s ban was confirmed to last 20 months, including his time under provisional suspension, meaning his sanction will end on October 17, 2027.
Separately, the ITIA announced that American tennis star Salma Ewing, formerly ranked 652 in the world, has been provisionally suspended under anti-doping rules.
In a statement, they wrote: “Ewing tested positive for the prohibited substance amfetamine during an in-competition test at a World Tennis Tour event in San Diego, USA, on 1 July 2026.
“Amfetamine is classed as a stimulant on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. Because of the nature of the substance, a provisional suspension is mandatory.
“The provisional suspension took effect on 20 August 2026. Ewing has the right to appeal the provisional suspension but has not done so to date.”
During their separate suspensions, Arcuschin and Ewing are not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association.
