Tennis

ITF lifts bans, clears Wickmayer, Malisse to play

Published Dec. 16, 2009 7:02 a.m. ET

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The International Tennis Federation has lifted the one-year bans imposed on Belgian tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse for violating anti-doping rules.

The ITF says both players are cleared to begin competing again immediately.

Wednesday's decision comes two days after a court injunction in Belgium suspended the bans.

Wickmayer, a U.S. Open semifinalist, and 2002 Wimbledon semifinalist Malisse were suspended by a Belgian court on Nov. 5 for breaking World Anti-Doping Agency rules. They failed to report their whereabouts for drug testing three times. The ITF imposed the bans worldwide.

The 20-year-old Wickmayer claims she was not properly informed of the online reporting requirements for drug-testing that led to her ban.

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