British tennis player Tara Moore has been banned from competition for four years following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that overturned an earlier verdict clearing her of a doping violation.
The suspension follows Moore’s positive test for banned anabolic steroids nandrolone and boldenone during the 2022 Copa Colsanitas WTA tournament in Bogota, Colombia.
Initial Clearing Overturned After ITIA Appeal
In 2022, Moore was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after her urine sample tested positive for the substances.
Moore maintained her innocence, arguing that the substances entered her body through contaminated meat consumed before the test.
In late 2023, an independent tribunal ruled in her favor, stating that she bore “no fault or negligence.”
However, following an appeal by the ITIA, CAS has now ruled that Moore failed to prove the levels of nandrolone were consistent with contaminated food, thereby concluding that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) was intentional.
“The appeal by the ITIA is therefore upheld, and the decision rendered by the Independent Tribunal is set aside,” read a statement from CAS.
Career Uncertainty for 32-Year-Old Former British No. 1 Doubles Star
Now aged 32, Moore faces the prospect of an extended absence from the sport that could effectively end her professional tennis career.
Although the four-year ban takes effect immediately, Moore will receive credit for the 19 months already served under provisional suspension, making her eligible to return in early 2027.
Moore Speaks Out: ’19 Months of Lost Time’
In an emotional statement following the CAS ruling, Moore criticized the prolonged process:
“Nineteen months of lost time—waiting for a verdict that initially proved my innocence—has been stolen from me. This new decision is a devastating blow.”
Since her return to the tour in April 2024, Moore has been vocal about perceived inconsistencies in anti-doping enforcement. She has previously pointed out the lighter punishment received by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who was handed a one-month suspension for a positive trimetazidine test, which was attributed to contaminated melatonin.
What’s Next for Moore?
With the CAS decision final, Moore must now decide whether to pursue further legal options or step away from the sport. Her suspension comes at a time when she was attempting to rebuild her career following the long legal battle.