Dayana Yastremska lands in Melbourne despite doping violation

The 20-year-old Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska failed the doping test following the urine sample provided on November 24 last year. Despite that, Dayana traveled to Melbourne, hoping to compete at the Australian Open.

The sample was sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency ("WADA") accredited laboratory in Montreal for analysis, and it contained banned substance mesterolone metabolite. Dayana was suspended on January 7 and has the right to apply to the Chair of the Independent Tribunal convened to hear her case. Dayana is currently ranked 29th, finishing the previous season with four straight losses and looking for a better start in 2021.

Yastremska is still on the Australian Open entry list, and she should train during a two-week quarantine, like all the other players. Tennis Australia is yet to make a statement about Yastremska's case, and we should know more in the next couple of days.

After reaching the Adelaide final at the beginning of the last season, Dayana lost to former champion Caroline Wozniacki in the Australian Open second round, standing on three wins in Melbourne and nine at Majors overall. The youngster was ranked 21st in January last year, failing to crack the top-20 in the rest of the season.