Doping: Beck caught on wrong foot

Karol Beck has tested positive for a banned substance, Czech news agency CTK reported on Tuesday.

Slovak tennis player Karol Beck has tested positive for a banned substance, Czech news agency CTK reported on Tuesday.

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CTK quoted Slovak Tennis Federation General Secretary Igor Moska as saying the positive test came last year, but he did not say which substance was involved.

The International Tennis Federation, the sport's governing body, declined to comment on the report when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday.

Beck faces a two-year ban if the test is confirmed.

During the Davis Cup final in December between Slovakia and Croatia, Beck had denied failing a dope test after rumours circulated he had given a positive test in the Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Slovak captain Miroslav Mecir decided to hold Beck out of the competition, citing at the time the lingering effects of a knee injury and saying the rumours surrounding Beck were an unfortunate distraction.

Beck was ranked 57 at the time of the Davis Cup final, which Slovakia lost 3-2, and is now ranked 76. He has not played in 2006.