Former Australian Open mixed doubles champion Abigail Spears of the US has been banned for 22 months after failing a dope test. The International Tennis Federation announced this on Thursday, imposing the ban on Spears. She was found guilty of consuming the banned substances pristone and testosterone at the 2019 US Open in New York.

Spears has won the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open in 2017 along with Juan Sebastian Kabal of Colombia and has also won 21 doubles titles in her career. A ban of 22 months was imposed. Spears, 38, was convicted of banned pristone and testosterone intake at the US Open 2019. Spears has won 21 doubles titles in her career. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said, 'Spears has accepted the use of the banned substance and has given clarification on its use. Their ban will come into effect from November 7, 2019, and ends on September 6, 2021.'