Tennis player Cilic banned for 9 months for doping

The International Tennis Federation has said that Croatian player Marin Cilic has been suspended for 9 months for a doping violation. Cilic tested positive for nikethamide.

The International Tennis Federation has said that Croatian player Marin Cilic has been suspended nine months for a doping violation.

The suspension was back-dated to May 1, so Cilic will be able to return to the tennis circuit on January 31.

Cilic tested positive for nikethamide, a stimulant, in Munich.

The ITF says an independent tribunal found that Cilic "ingested the nikethamide inadvertently, as a result of taking the Coramine glucose tablets and did not intend to enhance his performance in doing so."

Cilic has not played since withdrawing from Wimbledon in June.