Cilic slams ITF over doping suspension

Marin Cilic has hit out at the International Tennis Federation (ITF), accusing them of withholding evidence to extend his ban for drugs offences.

Speaking to the press at Indian Wells, the 2014 US Open champion said he still gets ‘angry’ when he thinks back to the case. Cilic was banned for nine months in 2013 after accidentally ingesting the prohibited stimulant nikethamide while taking glucose tablets.

“I had a bad experience with ITF during my doping case,” Cilic said. “People intentionally tried to hide facts to give me a longer ban.”

“Those people are still there, no action was taken. Every time I think about it, I get angry.”

Cilic’s outburst comes as the tennis world prepares for the return of Maria Sharapova from her doping ban. After having her suspension reduced from 24 months to 15, the Russian accused the ITF of a “shocking” approach to her ban. The former world No.1 complained that the Federation failed to assemble a neutral panel, and that they had “little knowledge” of the prohibited substance that she took (meldonium).