Tennis player who used kissing as anti-doping defense banned

Aug 2, 2021; Washington, DC, USA; A general view of tennis balls used during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-Imagn Images

A tennis player who blamed a tainted kiss for a failed drug test received a four-year suspension on Friday.

Venezuela's Goncalo Oliveira, 30, who competes on the ATP Challenger Tour, was originally suspended in January after testing positive for a banned methamphetamine at a November event in Manzanillo, Mexico.

Friday's suspension, issued by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, includes credit for his time on provisional suspension. Oliveira is eligible to return in January of 2029.

Oliveira denied taking the drug and presented a witness statement from the woman involved in the incident at his hearing with an independent tribunal.

The woman testified that she met Oliveira at a bar in Manzanillo and they kissed after she had "consumed a pill which made me feel euphoria, agitation, confidence to socialize and in the moment a feeling of energy and joy," per The Athletic.

Oliveira peaked at No. 194 in the world singles ranking in December 2017 and at No. 77 in doubles in August 2020.

--Field Level Media