Verdasco, who currently ranks 125 in the world but has a career-high ranking of 7 in the ATP, was tested in February at an ATP Challenger event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Wednesday that veteran Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco accepted a voluntary doping suspension of two months.
In a statement, the ITIA said that methylphenidate, a medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), was found in a urine sample from the payer, who turned 39 on November 15.]
Verdasco, who is currently ranked 125 in the world but has a career-high ranking of 7 in the ATP, was put to the test in February at an ATP Challenger event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Verdasco acknowledged the breach, claimed that he had been diagnosed with ADHD, that his doctor had prescribed him the methylphenidate, and that he had failed to renew his Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
In addition, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has issued a new TUE to the 2009 Australian Open semi-finalist.
The statement read, “The ITIA accepts that the player did not intend to cheat, that his violation was accidental and unintentional.”
It stated that the circumstances permitted a two-month suspension instead of the usual two years.
On January 8, Verdasco will be eligible to return.