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‘Don’t Even Benefit Your Game’- Tennis Fans Ridicule ITIA Over Banning American Player for Cannab*s Consumption

Published 02/28/2024, 3:05 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

A low-ranked American tennis player gets suspended by the ITIA for 2 years after testing positive for marij*ana during an ATP Challenger in Cary, NC. Several fans have now stepped in to mock ITIA’s ruling. Is it a bit too harsh for the youngster? Tennis fans have varying opinions.

According to the ITIA, it all started when the 21YO former NCAA player Casey Kania provided an in-competition urine sample during the Challenger tournament in August last year. The sample was later on tested positive for cannab*s (Carboxy-THC).

‘Not a performance-enhancing drug’ – Tennis fans not happy with ITIA ruling for American tennis youngster

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Cannab*s is banned in the competition under section S8 of the WADA Prohibited List. ITIA also stated that Casey Kania didn’t possess a therapeutic use exemption for the substance. In November 2023, a laboratory analysis of the B sample confirmed the presence of the banned substance. Kania was charged with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Articles 2.1 and/or 2.2 of the TADP.

However, according to ITIA, although Kania was unable to show he bore no fault for the violation. But the agency did accept that he “did not intentionally breach the provision of the sport’s anti-doping program.” As a result, he was suspended for only 2 years instead of 4 years.

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But tennis fans think this is a bit too harsh for a 21-year-old. One pointed out that it’s “not a performance-enhancing drug.” He believes it can hamper one’s game instead of helping the player to get an added advantage over his opponent. 

Another called this decision to be “Ridiculous” pointing out the same, that the substance could never act as an enhancer.

Some of them put up a question mark on the duration of two years, suggesting it to be too harsh for a young player to sit out for such a long period.

Let them live“, said the other fan, saying the drug was ‘nothing’ and it was too harsh a punishment for the youngster.

A few of them called the mandate to be an “absolute joke“, clearly not happy with the verdict.

According to the ATP, Casey Kania’s highest doubles ranking in his career has been 1317th, and has earned almost $482 in his career so far. Now, since his ineligibility began on February 2, 2024, and will run until February 1, 2026. All his results, prize money, and ranking points from the ATP Challenger in Cary and also tournaments after that until now will be forfeited. However, this isn’t the first time marij*ana made its presence felt in the tennis world.

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“It was f**king marij*ana” -Nick Kyrgios’ bizarre complaint during the 2022 US Open

During a match at the 2022 US Open against Benjamin Bonzi, the Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios was seen asking the umpire to warn anyone who was smoking weed in the stands. But the umpire seemed to be thinking Kyrgios was complaining about the smell of the food.

He yelled, “You don’t even want to remind anyone not to do it? It was f**king marij*ana. Obviously, I’m not going to be complaining about foodstuff. Obviously not.” Later on, the chair umpire made an announcement to the crowd reminding them not to smoke on the court.

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During the post-match interview, Kyrgios revealed that he was “heavily asthmatic” and when he was running side to side he faced difficulties in breathing. And marij*ana was perhaps the exact reason for his difficulties.

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Written by:

Sayantan Roy

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Sayantan Roy is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports, who crafts tennis tales that not only capture the game's essence but also reflect his creative genius. As a believer in unbiased journalism, Sayantan, a fan of both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, loves to fuse the world of such tennis rivals and present balanced copies as fan reaction pieces. Engaged in sports since college, he brings that passion to life.
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Edited by:

Arunima Bhanot