Belgian tennis players appeal doping bans

Nov 18, 2009 - 3:13 PM LAUSANNE, Switzerland(AP) -- Belgian tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse have asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn their one-year bans for missing drug tests.

The CAS said Wednesday the players want to annul their suspensions for failing three times to report their whereabouts for unannounced drug-testing.

The tribunal will issue a ruling within four months.

Wickmayer claims she was not properly informed of the online reporting requirements for drug-testing that led to her ban.

The 20-year-old U.S. Open semifinalist was suspended by a Belgian anti-doping tribunal this month for failing three times to report her whereabouts for drug testing. The ban was confirmed by the International Tennis Federation.

Malisse, a 2002 Wimbledon semifinalist, also was banned a year for the same offense.

Under the World Anti-Doping Agency's rules, elite athletes must be available for out-of-competition testing for one hour a day, 365 days a year. They must give three months' notice of where they will be so they can be tested.