In January 2018 the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Turkish minor tennis player Zeynep Sönmez after her sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Modafinil. After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, accepted the test result and a provisional suspension and waived her right to be heard.
The Athlete explained that the violation was not intentional and that she had used prescribed medication as treatment for her narcolepsy to help her with her study and she was not aware that it contained a prohibited substance.
The ITF accepted the Athlete’s explanation and evidence and establish that the violation was not intentional. Further it considers the Athlete’s prompt admission and that she bears no significant fault or negligence. Therefore the ITF decides on 3 April 2018 to impose 12 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 24 October 2017.
