Casey Kania has been suspended for two years following a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme

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© Copyright ITIA Ltd 2025


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American tennis player suspended for two years under Tennis Anti-Doping Programme​

Casey Kania tested positive for cannabis, and did not respond to ITIA request for information

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that American tennis player Casey Kania has been suspended for two years following a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

On 10 August 2023, at an ATP Challenger tournament in Cary, United States of America, 21-year-old Kania provided an in-competition urine sample, which contained cannabis (Carboxy-THC). Cannabis is a cannabinoid banned in competition under section S8 of the WADA Prohibited List. Kania, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of 1317 in August 2023, did not possess a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance.

On 7 November 2023, following laboratory analysis of the B sample, which confirmed the presence of cannabis, Kania was charged with the commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under articles 2.1 and/or 2.2 of the TADP.

The ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally breach the provisions of the TADP, but the player was unable to demonstrate that they bore No Fault or Negligence for their violation. Therefore, a two-year period of ineligibility (rather than a four-year sanction for an intentional violation) was imposed, as set out in TADP article 10.2.2.

As such, Kania’s two-year period of ineligibility begins on 2 February 2024, the date that the decision was issued, and ends on 1 February 2026. The player’s results, ranking points and prize money obtained at the Cary Challenger and in subsequent events are also disqualified.

In accordance with TADP Article 10.14, during the period of ineligibility, the player is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA).
The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. 

To read the decision in full, click here.


Published 27 February 2024 15:00

© Copyright ITIA Ltd 2025
 
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Rafa4LifeEver

G.O.A.T.
Anyone but Sinner & Swiatek.

This is ridiculously corrupt now. Swiatek was let off with a slap on the wrist (1 month ban in the off season lol) & they're already dragging Sinner's case endlessly for months without any logic or transperency whatsoever.
 

Purestriker

Legend
© Copyright ITIA Ltd 2025


American tennis player suspended for two years under Tennis Anti-Doping Programme​

Casey Kania tested positive for cannabis, and did not respond to ITIA request for information

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that American tennis player Casey Kania has been suspended for two years following a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

On 10 August 2023, at an ATP Challenger tournament in Cary, United States of America, 21-year-old Kania provided an in-competition urine sample, which contained cannabis (Carboxy-THC). Cannabis is a cannabinoid banned in competition under section S8 of the WADA Prohibited List. Kania, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of 1317 in August 2023, did not possess a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance.

On 7 November 2023, following laboratory analysis of the B sample, which confirmed the presence of cannabis, Kania was charged with the commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under articles 2.1 and/or 2.2 of the TADP.

The ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally breach the provisions of the TADP, but the player was unable to demonstrate that they bore No Fault or Negligence for their violation. Therefore, a two-year period of ineligibility (rather than a four-year sanction for an intentional violation) was imposed, as set out in TADP article 10.2.2.

As such, Kania’s two-year period of ineligibility begins on 2 February 2024, the date that the decision was issued, and ends on 1 February 2026. The player’s results, ranking points and prize money obtained at the Cary Challenger and in subsequent events are also disqualified.

In accordance with TADP Article 10.14, during the period of ineligibility, the player is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA).
The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. 

To read the decision in full, click here.


Published 27 February 2024 15:00

© Copyright ITIA Ltd 2025
Who?
 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
The ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally breach the provisions of the TADP, but the player was unable to demonstrate that they bore No Fault or Negligence for their violation. Therefore, a two-year period of ineligibility (rather than a four-year sanction for an intentional violation) was imposed, as set out in TADP article 10.2.2.

Oh, so the ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally commit a doping violation.
How does one unintentionally smoke weed?
2 year ban... What would the sanction have been if it was intentional?
:rolleyes:
 

RSJfan

Hall of Fame
Oh, so the ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally commit a doping violation.
How does one unintentionally smoke weed?
2 year ban... What would the sanction have been if it was intentional?
:rolleyes:
Who said anything about smoking weed? Positive test for THC. THC comes in many forms.

You have to appreciate the changes made to the WADA code in 2021. They don’t want to punish all Prohibited Substances the same any longer.

Beginning with the 2021 WADA Code certain prohibited substances on the Prohibited List are identified as “Substances of Abuse” because they are frequently abused in society outside of the context of sport. (WADA Code 4.23). THC is one of these substances (Prohibited List S.8).

For these substances it’s three months if the athlete can show that the use happened out-of-competition and was unrelated to sports performance. The sanction can be reduced to one month if the athlete completes an approved rehabilitation program. (WADA Code 10.2.4.1).

They went out of their way to help this player. Multiple time extensions to answer. Tried to explain to him how to help himself. He didn’t give them much to go on so he got two years because it’s a Specified Prohibited Substance and they accepted the doctor story but without more — like the doctor :D — even though it’s a Substance of Abuse they couldn’t go to three months. :(
 
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Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
He smoked or ingested Cannabis unintentionally!

The smoking of cannabis is intentional. Smoking does not align with the ITIA Tribunal finding of an unintentional doping violation.
It would have been a four-year sanction! had it been an intentional violation that occurred during competition.

"The ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally breach the provisions of the TADP, but the player was unable to demonstrate that they bore No Fault or Negligence for their violation. Therefore, a two-year period of ineligibility (rather than a four-year sanction for an intentional violation) was imposed, as set out in TADP article 10.2.2."

He most likely unintentionally ingested CBD supplements with higher THC content than labeled.

It is not prudent for an athlete to be ingesting CBD supplements and risk a doping violation.
 
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RSJfan

Hall of Fame
The smoking of cannabis is intentional. Smoking does not align with the ITIA Tribunal finding of an unintentional violation.
It would have been a four-year sanction! had it been an intentional violation that occurred during competition..

"The ITIA accepted that Kania did not intentionally breach the provisions of the TADP, but the player was unable to demonstrate that they bore No Fault or Negligence for their violation. Therefore, a two-year period of ineligibility (rather than a four-year sanction for an intentional violation) was imposed, as set out in TADP article 10.2.2."

He most likely unintentionally ingested CBD supplements with higher THC content than labeled.

It is not prudent for an athlete to be ingesting CBD supplements and risk a doping violation.

You should concentrate on the TACP and it’s pretty flow charts or stick with EVs.
 
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Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
Readers are confused; we shall clarify their understanding.

Cannabis and other recreational drugs are classified as a "specified substance of abuse" as they are less likely to be used for performance enhancement.

Cannabis violations can carry a potential four-year ban. It is true.

However, if an athlete can demonstrate that their cannabis use was out-of-competition and unrelated to performance enhancement, the ban can be reduced to three months.

The ITIA ruling deemed Casey's cannabis violation to be unintentional. Hence the maximum penalty in such an unintentional use scenario would be a two-year ban with a
minimum penalty of three months if article 10.2.4.1 was applicable.
  1. Cannabis as a Specified Substance: Cannabis is classified as a specified substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, which means it is prohibited in competition.
  2. Intentional Use: Under Article 10.2.1.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), if it is established that the athlete intentionally used cannabis during competition, they can be subject to a four-year suspension.
  3. Case Example: In the case of Casey Kania, he was found to have cannabis in his system but was not deemed to have intentionally violated the rules, resulting in a two-year suspension instead of four years. This illustrates that the determination of intent is crucial in deciding the length of the penalty.

A four-year ban could have applied to the Casey case had he intentionally used cannabis during competition to gain a performance advantage.
In the above scenario, Casey's four-year ban would NOT have been mitigated by Article 10.2.4.1

10.2.1 The period of Ineligibility will be four years. (Save where Article 10.2.4.1 applies).

10.2.1.2 where the Anti-Doping Rule Violation involves a Specified Substance and the ITIA can establish that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation was intentional.​
10.2.4 Notwithstanding any other provision in Article 10.2, where the Anti-Doping Rule Violation involves a Substance of Abuse:

10.2.4.1 If the Player can establish that any ingestion or Use occurred Out-of-Competition and was unrelated to sport performance, the period of Ineligibility will be three months, provided that it may be further reduced to one month if the Player satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by the ITIA. The period of Ineligibility established in this Article 10.2.4.1 is not subject to any reduction based on any provision in Article 10.6.​
10.2.4.2 If the ingestion, Use, or Possession occurred In-Competition, and the Player can establish that the context of the ingestion, Use, or Possession was unrelated to sport performance, then the ingestion, Use, or Possession will not be considered intentional for purposes of Article 10.2.1 and will not provide a basis for a finding of Aggravating Circumstances under Article 10.4.​
 
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Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
He smoked or ingested Cannabis unintentionally!

If a player smokes cannabis either in or out of competition but not for performance enhancement purposes, it is considered an unintentional violation.
Welcome to the strange world of the tennis anti-doping program.
:rolleyes:

In the context of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), If the ITIA could establish that Kania's use of cannabis was intentional and aimed at enhancing his performance during competition, he could face a four-year ban. The ITIA would need to prove that cannabis was a performance enhancer for Casey Kania specifically.
  1. Burden of Proof: The ITIA carries the burden of proof to demonstrate that Kania's use of cannabis was intentional and for performance enhancement. This is crucial because, under TADP Article 10.2.1, a four-year ban is applicable only if the violation is deemed intentional.
  2. Individual Variability: The potential for cannabis to enhance performance can vary significantly between players. While some athletes may find that cannabis helps with focus or anxiety management, others might experience impairments in coordination or reaction times. This individual response means that what may be a performance enhancer for one player could have no effect or even a negative impact on another.
  3. General Recognition: Although cannabis is generally not recognized as a performance-enhancing drug (PED) in most sports, its classification under anti-doping regulations means that its use is still subject to scrutiny. The debate surrounding its efficacy as a PED is ongoing, with many arguing that it does not provide a significant advantage in tennis.
  4. Casey Kania's Situation: In Kania's case, the ITIA concluded that he did not intentionally breach anti-doping rules, resulting in a two-year suspension instead of four years. This illustrates the importance of intent and the specifics of each case in determining penalties.
 
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Sudacafan

Bionic Poster
If a player smokes cannabis either in or out of competition but not for performance enhancement purposes, it is considered an unintentional violation.
Welcome to the strange world of the tennis anti-doping program.
:rolleyes:

In the context of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP), If the ITIA could establish that Kania's use of cannabis was intentional and aimed at enhancing his performance during competition, he could face a four-year ban. The ITIA would need to prove that cannabis was a performance enhancer for Casey Kania specifically.
  1. Burden of Proof: The ITIA carries the burden of proof to demonstrate that Kania's use of cannabis was intentional and for performance enhancement. This is crucial because, under TADP Article 10.2.1, a four-year ban is applicable only if the violation is deemed intentional.
  2. Individual Variability: The potential for cannabis to enhance performance can vary significantly between players. While some athletes may find that cannabis helps with focus or anxiety management, others might experience impairments in coordination or reaction times. This individual response means that what may be a performance enhancer for one player could have no effect or even a negative impact on another.
  3. General Recognition: Although cannabis is generally not recognized as a performance-enhancing drug (PED) in most sports, its classification under anti-doping regulations means that its use is still subject to scrutiny. The debate surrounding its efficacy as a PED is ongoing, with many arguing that it does not provide a significant advantage in tennis.
  4. Casey Kania's Situation: In Kania's case, the ITIA concluded that he did not intentionally breach anti-doping rules, resulting in a two-year suspension instead of four years. This illustrates the importance of intent and the specifics of each case in determining penalties.
Thanks for the detailed analysis you have provided to this forum.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
Are there any anti-doping/PED regulations in recreational tennis? (e.g. USTA)

About a week ago I was playing some doubles. The score was 1-2 on serve and after changing sides, it was my turn to serve.

I walked up to the baseline and visualized where I wanted my serve to land. Shook my arm a little to make sure my grip and arm was relaxed. I remembered the many posts by Chas stressing the importance of recording in at last 240 fps to be able to see if ISR is taking place.

Then I bounced the ball a few times to focus. The ball seemed to bounce back up in slow motion I felt like I was in the zone. The optic yellow of the ball looked especially saturated and vibrant. Felt like I was bouncing the ball at 240 frames per second. It was kind of mesmerizing.

Then I looked up to check if the returner was ready. But there was nobody there?!

His doubles partner was gone, too! So was my partner! Where did they all go?

I looked over and saw the three of them sitting on the bench drinking water. Mikey, one of my opponents called out to me, "You finally ready? You've been bouncing the ball for the last 5 minutes."
 
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