PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The ATP announced Friday that Guillermo Coria of Argentina had been suspended for seven months, fined $98,565 and had ranking points deducted after testing positive for the banned substance Nandrolone.
The 19-year-old Coria tested positive for the substance at the Open Seat Godo tournament in Barcelona, Spain on April 25, when he was ranked 30th in the ATP entry system. He has not played on the ATP Tour since the first week of August and will not be permitted to compete again until March 13, 2002.
"This decision is a very clear warning to tennis players and all world-class athletes about the risks of consuming dietary supplements," ATP CEO Mark Miles said.
According to the ATP, the positive test came after Coria consumed a nutritional supplement.
"I am devastated by this penalty, which I consider too harsh in light of the fact I proved to the tribunal that I did everything possible to abide by our anti-doping rules," Coria said. "I have not and would never take banned substances to enhance performance."
"Even though the evidence in this case showed that the supplements consumed by Mr. Coria were contaminated during manufacturing and did not list the banned substance on the label," Miles said, "he still must pay a significant price through suspension and forfeiture of points and prize money."
Coria won his first career ATP title in February at Vina del Mar, Chile. He also reached the final at the Mallorca Open and the semifinals of the Tennis Masters Series event at Monte Carlo and the Generali Open at Kitzbuhel, Austria.
