By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, February 21, 2025
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
A questionable cut of beef has earned Nicolas Zanellato his freedom from provisional suspension.
The world’s No. 754 player, who faced a provisional suspension since last August due to a doping violation, can now return to the court immediately after demonstrating that his positive test for boldenone was a result of consuming contaminated beef in Colombia.
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After an extensive investigation—including interviews and consultation with independent WADA-approved scientists—the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed that Zanellato had “No Fault or Negligence” concerning his Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
Zanellato had reached a career-high singles ranking of 458 in April 2024 and provided a sample during an ATP Challenger event in Ibagué, Colombia, on June 25, 2024.
Boldenone, a prohibited steroid often used in Colombia’s cattle farming to enhance growth, is legal in the country, leading to Zanellato’s unintentional consumption of contaminated beef at a local restaurant.
After being provisionally suspended since August 12, 2024, Zanellato faced an unsuccessful appeal to an independent tribunal on August 22. However, he later gathered additional evidence—including receipts and details about his meals from a restaurant outside the tournament—bolstering his case.
The ITIA conducted a parallel probe and validated his claims, affirming the explanation was corroborated by independent scientific experts.
If this incident seems familiar, you’re not misremembering due to boldenone’s effects. In 2020, the ITF reinstated doubles co-world No. 1 Robert Farah after he too claimed his positive test was linked to contaminated meat consumed in Colombia.
Farah, like Zanellato, was provisionally suspended following a positive boldenone test. He provided evidence from a beef dinner cooked by his mother, including receipts and flight records documenting his presence in Colombia prior to the positive result. His mother’s supermarket receipt and corroborating testimonies from ranchers illustrated the situation clearly.
A lesson to learn from both narratives: Tennis players need to exercise caution when dining on meat in Colombia; and if you do indulge, keep those receipts!
