The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has provisionally suspended two players - Karlis Ozolins of Latvia and Daniil Kakhniuk of the USA - after both tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol.
Both players provided samples during an ITF World Tennis Tour event in San Jose, Costa Rica, on 17 February 2026, which contained metabolites of clostebol.
Clostebol is classified as an anabolic agent, on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, and is banned under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. Because of the nature of the substance, a provisional suspension is mandatory, and both suspensions have been in place since 14 April 2026.
Ozolins and Kakhniuk, whose career-high world singles rankings are 618 and 1112 respectively, have the right to appeal their suspensions, but neither has done so.
As with all Tennis Anti-Doping Programme cases, ITIA support is available to both players, including pro-bono legal aid, independent wellbeing support, and financial assistance to investigate the source of positive findings.
While suspended, the players are not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association.
Ends
Published 12 May 2026 15:00
