American tennis player, Jenson Brooksby has been handed an 18-month ban after missing three drug tests.

The suspension, which has been backdated to July 2023, will keep Brooksby out of competition until January 2025.

This ruling comes as a result of the American being found to have missed three doping tests within a 12-month period.

While he disputes the second missed test, an independent tribunal concluded that he held a “high” degree of responsibility after reviewing the evidence.

In response to the ban, the 23 year-old Brooksby has expressed his disappointment and intention to appeal.

He acknowledged his responsibility for two of the missed tests but maintains that the missed test on June 4, 2022 should be disregarded.

Brooksby cited a discrepancy in the hotel check-in process on that day as the reason he was unavailable for testing. He insists that had he been contacted through his hotel room, he would have cooperated with the test.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) stressed the importance of players adhering to the whereabouts program and reiterated their support and education for athletes on this program.

Jenson Brooksby was eager to return to the sport following a difficult injury-laden 2023.

He reached a career-high ranking of No.33 in June 2022 but has been out of competition since early 2023.