21-year-old professional tennis player opts to voluntarily take provisional suspension after positive test for prohibited substance

Lithuanian tennis player Emilija Tverijonaite has opted to take a voluntary provisional suspension under tennis’ anti-doping rules. While other players have been battling to keep their tennis career in tact, the 21-year-old decided to take a step back from the sport following this debacle.

Tverijonaite provided an in-competition sample during a World Tennis event in Mogyorod, Hungary, on 2 July 2026. On 29 July 2026, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory found taces of canrenone.

This is a diuretic and masking agent on the WADA Prohibited List that is a prominent substance banned under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. If tested positive, the player in question is not forced to take a provisional suspension, not being mandatory under the rules.

However, Tverijonaite has decided to undergo a provisional suspension from 19th October. This voluntary option is open to any player under investigation by the ITIA in anti-doping cases. Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.

Tverijonaite, who reached a career-high singles ranking of 1,067 back in March 2023, will have the option to defend her case with the possibility of accidental contamination being a strong argument. Tverijonaite will need to provide full medical records or any pertinent purchase bill to prove her innocence and obtain a “No Significant Fault or Negligence” verdict.

The Lithuanian can fall back on the ITIA support program, which can help the players fund their legal cases while also offering and providing emotional support for the players in question with the players well-being a priority in this possibly very tough time.

Tverijonaite, for the time being, will not be seen on the tennis court until this situation comes to a conclusion. She has not competed in any competition since the start of July when trying to qualify for the W50 event in Corroios-Seixal, Portugal. She would lose 6-2, 6-3 to Frenchwoman Chloe Noel in the opening round. She had only competed in three tournaments in 2026, winning just one main draw match.

She is set for a spell on the sidelines and subsequently will not be allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by World Tennis, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association.