There are a lot of reasons that stop a tennis player from playing the sport! While it can be injuries or unusual forms, for Beatriz Haddad Maia, who was once the 99th-ranked tennis player from Brazil, it was something else that created chaos. But the biggest question is what happened a few years ago when the 27-year-old tennis player was forced to step out of the tennis arena for months.

In the past few years, she has been doing great on the tennis court and even reached a career ranking of 10. But do you know that back in 2019, she was not able to play tennis for around 10 months? Let’s take a look at what happened to the Brazilian tennis player’s life that apparently kept her away from tennis.

Why was Beatriz Haddad Maia not able to play tennis for around 10 months? 

Back in 2019, the former 10th-ranked tennis player failed a doping test, which created a hurdle in her way. According to Tennis Channel, the International Tennis Federation highlighted how the Brazilian tennis player was suspended for 10 months on the grounds of failing a test, but then rather she came back stronger and is one of the top competitors to look out for in the current competitive women tennis players.

The IDF also pointed out that in her doping sample, which she turned in on June 4, 2019, she included two SARMs—banned anabolic agents—that were prohibited. Selective androgen receptor modulators, or SARMs for short, are artificial compounds that replicate the effects of anabolic steroids. Because they are thought to improve performance, both weightlifters and athletes have taken an interest in them.

Further, before the doping incident, she grabbed a lot of attention for her first-round Wimbledon achievement, which came against 2017 champion Garbine Muguruza. However, even after upsetting her in the first round, she exited the tournament by facing defeat in the second round by losing to Harriet Dart.

Subsequently, before her, two other Brazilian tennis players were suspended for failing a doping test, making it a big issue at the time. Moreover, after that, even Haddad Maia posted a statement on her Instagram regarding her side of the story and how she doesn’t carry any significant fault in the same.

Haddad Maia’s take on failing a doping test 

After her suspension was made clear, rather than going against the idea that she might not have taken any supplements that were prohibited, she went out and gave a detailed statement on social media regarding how there were supplements she took that contained the prohibited substance. On the other hand, while she accepted taking SARM LGD-4033, there was a risk with the supplements, so that’s why the ITF considered having a 10-month suspension.

Not only that, she stated, “I always played fair, and I learned from tennis values ​​that are part of my daily life: respect, honesty, and hard work. Anyone who knows me knows my nature, my character, and my happiness in doing what I do.” However, now that she is back on the tennis court, she is not leaving the opportunity to show her skills and rise to the top.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the Haddad Maia doping incident? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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