Yanina Wickmayer, during her final match of the Generali Ladies tennis tournament, was suspended for one year by a Belgian anti-doping tribunal. (Rubra/Associated Press) U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer was suspended for one year by a Belgian anti-doping tribunal Thursday, accused of failing to report her whereabouts to drug-testing officials three times.
The Flemish regional tribunal called the punishment "reasonable."
Tribunal spokesman Koen Uman said the suspension takes immediate effect, but Wickmayer can appeal the decision.
The 18th-ranked Belgian has denied any wrongdoing and said on her website she planned to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
She's scheduled to play in a tournament in Bali this week.
Another Belgian tennis player, 2002 Wimbledon semifinalist Xavier Malisse, also was suspended by the tribunal for breaking the whereabouts rule.
Wickmayer's suspension came as a surprise because a prosecutor recommended she receive only a warning for missing three tests over 18 months.
The tribunal said Wickmayer's failure to live up to anti-doping rules required a suspension.
