ITF says it will uphold 1-year ban for Belgian tennis players Wickmayer, Malisse

ITF confirms 1-year ban for Wickmayer, Malisse

LONDON — The International Tennis Federation has confirmed a one-year suspension for Belgian tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse.

The duo was suspended by a Belgian tribunal this week for failing to report their whereabouts to anti-doping officials three times this year.

The ITF said in a statement Saturday that it agreed the players had violated anti-doping rules.

The governing body said it “recognizes and respects” the tribunal’s decision, and will “take all steps necessary to enforce” the ban.

The 18th-ranked Wickmayer, who reached this year’s U.S. Open semifinals, has said she will appeal the ban. She pulled out of this week’s WTA Tour tournament in Bali after the tribunal’s decision was announced.