“Don't look me in the face and say this aint a race thing”: Mikael Ymer blames racial discrimination as reason behind 18-month doping suspension

Former Sweden's tennis star Mikael Ymer has made a big claim that racial discrimination played a big role in his being suspended because of the violation of anti-doping protocols.

The 25-year-old was suspended in July 2023 for 18 months after missing three out-of-competition tests in the last 12 months. Following the ban, Ymer surprisingly announced retirement from tennis. Ymer was recently quoted in a report where he claimed that his suspension is largely down to racial discrimination.

"Another tour player inside top 40 received a 3rd strike at the sammmeee time as me,” he said. “He claimed that his hotel phone was broken thereforrrrr couldn't hear anything. Ther was no appeal made an no negligence found eveeeeennn tho we are responsible to be reachable on our phones.

"I ain't saying this w no hate I'm happy that he doesn't have to go thru it but don't look me in the face and say this aint a race thing fuck u mean it ain't a race thing."

Ymer was also critical of the CEO of the Nordea Open Christer Hult, who according to him paid him much less than what was promised when he decided to play in the competition.

"It is true that Båstad offered me an extremely large amount of money this year,” he said. “I was shocked when I saw the check but my voice and integrity are not for sale. Christer Hult (CEO) and his team can put their money up their a**es. God is greatest."