Yanina Wickmayer revealed her shock at her one year ban in an interview on Belgian TV.
The US Open semi-finalist was competing in an end of year tournament in Bali for the players who have scored the most points in lower tier WTA events when she heard that she had been banned for not fulfilling her whereabouts requirements.
"I learned the news around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday night," Wickmayer told VRT's Sportweekend. "I think I woke up the whole hotel with my screams and I didn't stop crying for two days. It was not until June that I learned from the federation that my whereabouts had not been in order. Since July, my whereabouts have been in order daily and let's be clear: I have never failed or refused a test. I have been tested 10 to 15 times this year. I find it such a pity that my name is now associated with doping."
Her compatriot Xavier Malisse who is also banned for a year for the same offence said that his career is probably over. Malisse, now 29, reached the Wimbledon semi-finals back in 2002. "I think it's the end of my career," he said. "A proceeding before CAS is very costly and lasts very long. I don't have the financial means to get into this fight. I don't know yet how we'll proceed but if the suspension is upheld, it means the end of my career."
The only hope Wickmayer and Malisse have of overturning the ban is an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne but their chances of succeeding are slim.
Kim Clijsters has given both Wickmayer and Malisse her full support. In a statement on Twitter Clijsters made it clear she felt the bans are overly harsh. "It's very unfortunate what’s happened to Yanina and Xavier this week,” she said. “While they may not have followed correct administration, they did not register a positive doping offense either. To receive a one year ban because of this seems extremely harsh and is potentially career-ending for both of them. I hope the authorities and athletes can work together on finding better solutions to keep our sports clean."
