Aug 24, 2009, 17:56 GMT
Prague - Czech Ivo Minar denied Monday that he had doped after being reported as testing positive for a banned substance during Davis Cup play last month.
Czech tennis officials said that Minar came up positive during a July 10-12 quarter-final victory at home against Argentina. The substance involved was said to be a derivative of the banned stimulant pseudoephedrine.
'I have never consciously taken a banned substance,' the 25-year- old said in a statement. 'This is why I rejected the accusation of doping in my reaction sent to the ITF.'
The Czech Republic won the tie 3-2 to reach the semi-finals but Minar lost his singles rubber against Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro.
The International Tennis Federation did not comment on the case but is believed to be investigating. However, Czech officials appear to be standing behind their player, who withdrew from the US Open as well as this week's New Haven ATP event.
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