By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Combining meth and match play leads to a major foul!
**Gonçalo Oliveira**, a 29-year-old tennis talent originally hailing from Portugal and currently representing Venezuela, has been temporarily banned under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program after testing positive for methamphetamine, as confirmed today by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In Related News: Sinner and Cahill to Part After 2025
Oliveira, who achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 77 in August 2020, provided a sample during an ATP Challenger event held in Manzanillo, Mexico, on November 25, 2024.
The test results on his samples confirmed the presence of methamphetamine, a banned stimulant under the regulations. Oliveira has chosen not to contest his suspension.
“Cases involving non-specified substances lead to an automatic provisional suspension, effective from January 17, 2025, for Oliveira,” the ITIA reported. “Athletes do have the option to appeal this suspension before an independent tribunal, but Oliveira has opted not to pursue that route.”
“During this provisional suspension, Oliveira is barred from participating in, coaching at, or attending any tennis events recognized or sanctioned by ITIA members, including ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon, and USTA, along with any national association.”
