By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Mixing meth and match play isn’t a winning combination.
Gonçalo Oliveira, a 29-year-old Portuguese-born tennis player who currently represents Venezuela, has been provisionally suspended under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program after testing positive for methamphetamine, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today.
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Oliveira, who reached a career-high doubles ranking of No. 77 in August 2020, submitted an in-competition sample while competing in an ATP Challenger event in Manzanillo, Mexico, on November 25, 2024.
The sample was split into A and B samples and the subsequent analysis found that the A sample contained metamfetamine, which is prohibited under the TADP, in the category of Stimulants. Oliveira has not appealed his suspension.
“Findings for non-Specified Substances carry a mandatory provisional suspension – in Oliveira’s case, this has been in effect from January 17, 2025,” the ITIA said in its statement. “Players have the right to appeal the imposition of their provisional suspension before an independent tribunal chair. Oliveira has not appealed.
“While provisionally suspended, Oliveira is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.”
