Malisse and Wickmayer free to play again
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 15:05The International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Wednesday lifted the one-year bans it imposed on Belgian duo Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse for anti-doping violations.
Wickmayer, the world number 18, was suspended in November by the Flemish Doping Tribunal (VDT) for failing to fulfil the 'whereabouts' rule while Malisse was also punished for missing a drugs test.
A Belgian court had banned the duo on 5 November, but the bans were then suspended by an injunction on Monday, and as a result the ITF has complied with the court's ruling.
The ITF confirmed that both players were now eligible to begin competing again immediately.
Wickmayer is hoping for an invitation to compete in the Australian Open next month as the registration deadline for the first Grand Slam of the season is already closed.
