The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today confirms that tennis player Tsao Chia-yi, from Chinese Taipei, has accepted a 12-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
Tsao, who reached a career-high world doubles ranking of 115 in August 2024, tested positive for the prohibited substance methylephedrine in January 2025. Methylephedrine is prohibited under the TADP, in the category of Stimulants (section S6.B of the 2025 World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List).
Methylephedrine is a Specified substance, and Tsao did not possess a valid TUE for the substance. While findings for Specified substances do not carry a mandatory provisional suspension during investigation, Tsao elected to take a voluntary provisional suspension on 1 March 2025.
Following interviews and correspondence with the ITIA, Tsao asserted that the positive sample resulted from consumption of the cold medicine Pabron Gold A, which the player purchased from a drugstore at an airport in Tokyo, Japan.
The product’s Japanese packaging, as well as the manufacturer’s website, listed methylephedrine as an ingredient in Pabron Gold A. Although the player does not speak Japanese, they admitted that they did not consult the drugstore attendant, undertake their own research, or speak to a physician to assess the suitability of the product – despite recent education on the topic of medications.
In mitigation, Tsao explained that the version of the Pabron product available in their country of origin does not contain methylephedrine as an ingredient, and its familiarity was a factor in acquiring the product in Japan. The player submitted receipts and photographs in support of their explanation, and the ITIA accepted that the violation was not intentional.
In determining sanction, the ITIA considered the precedent set in similar cases under the World Anti-Doping Code across a number of sports.
As such, a finding of No Significant Fault or Negligence and a 12-month suspension was considered appropriate, and this was accepted by Tsao, who waived their right to a hearing before an independent tribunal.
Time served under provisional suspension is credited against the period of ineligibility. As such, Tsao’s suspension will end on 28 February 2026.
During the period of ineligibility, Tsao 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) or any national association.
The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of their professional tennis events.
To read the decision in full, click here.
Ends
Published 18 June 2025 14:00
