Disaster! This one word is enough to describe the tragedy that the former World No.19, Varvara Lepchenko, had to go through after unknowingly consuming a banned substance. However, now bad days are coming to an end for the Americans. Recently, Lepchenko earned the verdict in her favor, which reduced her drug ban substantially. And looks forward to making a strong comeback.

Lepchenko was sentenced to a 4-year drug ban after she failed a routine drug-test, two years ago. And since then it has been a struggle for the former World No. 19 as she grappled with the consequences of the tragedy. It unsurprisingly led to a huge loss for the Uzbekistan-born American tennis star.

Varvara Lepchenko yearning to make a comeback

Recently, as detailed by the Express, Lepchenko was successful in getting her 4-year drug ban, reduced to 21 months, after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Consequently, tennis fans would be able to see the former World N0.19 back in action in May this year.

Read More: “Keep Dreaming Big”: Varvara Lepchenko Credits Serena Williams Behind Winning First WTA 125 Title

Top Stories

Novak Djokovic Makes a Bold Coaching Move As He Looks the Challenge Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner in 2026

Russian Tennis Hit Hard as Another WTA Player Forfeits Citizenship

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Take Bizarre On-Court Decision as Australian Open Countdown Begins

Ex-WTA Pro Calls Out Media Houses After Personal Rumors Cross the Line

Anhelina Kalinina Pulls Off Major Comeback Feat Months After Retiring Due to Brutal Arm Injury

Back in 2021, Lepchenko tested positive for adrafinil and/or modafinil metabolite, during the Hungarian Grand Prix event, in Budapest. Subsequently, the American tennis player was banned from the court on 19th August 2021. However, Uzbekistan-born American tennis star was granted a ‘consent award’, by CAS after ITF independently procured and tested a piece of evidence supporting her cause; an unopened bottle of pill that did not mention the banned substance.

Nevertheless, tennis fans would be eager to see if the former World No.19 could present a new threat to the youngsters, given the massive amount of experience she has gained from her tennis journey.

A silver lining to Lepchenko being granted the ‘Consent Award’

In addition to the reduced sentence, this would be treated as her first sanction, despite being involved in two anti-doping rule violations; due to the unintentional nature of her first violation. Moreover, all the stakeholders also agreed to backdate her ban, consequently, allowing the Uzbekistan born American tennis star to return to court by mid-May. Although her prize money and titles won before the ban by Lepchenko would stay disqualified.

Watch This Story: ‘She’s Trying to Get Back at People’- Chris Evert Once Had a Solid Advice to Serena Williams on Her Attitude Towards Fellow Players

What are your thoughts about the ‘Consent Award’ to Varvara Lepchenko? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments!