American Ashley Kratzer has been hit with a four-year doping ban after failing a drug test in January.
The 21-year-old left-hander provided a urine sample on January 27th at the WTA Newport Beach event. That sample was sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency for analysis, and was found to contain GHRP-6, the International Tennis Federation announced.
Model: I am Pregnant with Alexander Zverev's Child
GHRP-6 is a growth hormone, which is banned under category S2 of the 2020 WADA Prohibited List (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics). Positive tests for non-specified substances carry a mandatory provisional suspension.
Kratzer, who reached a career-high singles rank of No. 200 in August of 2018, has earned $139,000 in career prize money.She has not played a pro match since her positive drug test in Newport Beach in January.
Kratzer is eligible to return to the pro circuit on March 28th, 2024.This is her first doping violation.
All ranking points and prize money Kratzer earned at Newport Beach and subsequent events are disqualified. She can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.