BOGOTA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Men's doubles world No. 1 Robert Farah has been provisionally suspended after a positive doping test, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old Colombian was found to have traces of anabolic steroid boldenone in his system in an out-of-competition test in October. He will remain banned from all ITF-sanctioned events pending a hearing by an independent tribunal.
"On 11 January 2020, Mr. Farah was charged with an anti-doping rule violation ... and was provisionally suspended with effect from 21 January 2020," an ITF statement read.
"Mr. Farah had (and retains) the right to apply to the chair of the independent tribunal convened to hear his case why the provisional suspension should not be imposed, but has chosen not to exercise that right to date."
Farah has denied any wrongdoing and took to social media last week to describe his ordeal.
"I'm going through one of the saddest moments of my life and, without a doubt, the saddest of my sporting career," he said on Twitter.
Boldenone is commonly used in Colombia's cattle industry to improve the quality of beef. However it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Colombian Olympic Committee has warned its athletes to be wary of the substance in local food.
Canada-born Farah, who last week pulled out of the Australian Open, won last year's Wimbledon and U.S. Open men's doubles titles alongside compatriot Juan Sebastian Cabal.
