Tennis player blames 'kissing' for testing positive for methamphetamine

Tennis player Goncalo Oliveira has been hit with a four-year ban after failing a drug test. The 30-year-old tested positive for methamphetamine following a sample taken at the Manzanillo Open in Mexico last November.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency disclosed that Oliveira claimed his positive result came about through "contamination via kissing or environmental contamination." However, an independent tribunal determined they were not provided with "clear, cogent, persuasive or concrete evidence" to support the assertion.

In an official statement, the ITIA added: "Any result, prize money and ranking points from the event in which the player tested positive are forfeited, in addition to all subsequent events played by Oliveira between the date of their positive test and the imposition of their provisional suspension."

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Oliveira, who was born in Portugal but competes for Venezuela on the tennis court, received a provisional suspension in January.

Following notification of a potential anti-doping rule breach, the tennis player outlined his defence.

He said: "On November 24, 2024, I was at a bar in the centre with a friend, where I met a woman. We danced and ended up sharing a few kisses.

"Shortly before meeting her, the woman consumed a pill of 'recreational drug' and had a drink. At the time, I was unaware of her having taken the drugs and only learned about it later when I contacted her [to] ask questions following my positive test.

"While I cannot confirm whether any physical contact or proximity with this woman could have contributed to accidental contamination, it is nonetheless a credible possibility that cannot be ignored or overlooked."

Oliveira requested a hearing, which took place before an independent tribunal in London in September. The player has been handed a suspension until January 16, 2029, having already begun serving the first part of his four-year ban this year.

During his period of ineligibility, the tennis star will be barred from playing in, coaching at or attending any events sanctioned by any members of the ITIA. Oliveira reached a career high ranking of No. 194 in the world at the end of 2017.

He has since slipped to world No. 460. Oliveira has clinched 18 titles on the ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Futures Tour but has never battled it out at a Grand Slam.

The left-handed ace did come tantalisingly close to reaching the main draw at the French Open in 2018 after an impressive performance on the clay.

However, he was eventually defeated by Bernard Tomic in the third qualifying round, with the Australian subsequently losing to Argentine Marco Trungelliti in the first round of the main draw.

Oliveira also took part in the first round of qualifying at Wimbledon in 2018 and the first round of qualifying at the Australian Open in 2024.