International Tennis Federation v Varvara Lepchenko

To optimise for archiving, the original image and related documents associated with this article have been removed.

A decision in the case of International Tennis Federation (ITF) against Varvara Lepchenko has been issued by the ITF Independent Panel. 

On 25 August 2021, the ITF issued Ms Lepchenko with a Notice of Charge for the Presence of modafinil acid, a metabolite of modafinil and/or adrafinil, in a Sample collected In-Competition on 12 July 2021.

An Independent Tribunal was appointed to determine this matter, comprised of David Casement QC (Chair), Erika Riedl and Dr Gary O'Driscoll. The Tribunal found that an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) had been committed by Ms Lepchenko pursuant to Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, resulting in a four (4) year period of Ineligibility commencing on 19 August 2021, the date of her Provisional Suspension.

Sport Resolutions is the independent secretariat to the ITF Independent Panel. 

A copy of the full decision can be accessed via the related links tab on the right-hand side. 

You may also like

View All

Pinned Article

Sport Resolutions Annual Conference 2026: Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets for the Sport Resolutions 11th Annual Conference are now available. Join leading sport and legal professionals in London on 7 May 2026 for a full day of discussion, insight, and networking

Read More

Speaker Line-up Announced: International Federations in a Complex World: Law, Governance and Global Strategy

The full speaker line-up has now been confirmed for this session on International Federations in a complex world. Moderated by Manish Bhasin, the panel will examine how IFs navigate legal and governance frameworks, manage stakeholder interests, and operate across diverse political, cultural, and commercial environments

Read More

Speaker Line-up Announced | WADA Code 2027 and the rise of SARMs: what you need to know

The full speaker line-up has now been confirmed for this session on WADA Code 2027 and the rise of SARMs. Moderated by Manish Bhasin, the panel will bring together leading experts from across anti-doping, law, science, and athlete welfare to explore the implications of the 2027 Code and emerging doping trends

Read More