Slovakian tennis player Andrej Martin, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 93 in the world in 2017, is facing a potential career-ending suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Monday that Martin had failed a doping test during a tournament in November 2021. The test showed the presence of the prohibited substance triamcinolone acetonide, which is classified as a glucocorticosteroid and is used to treat a variety of conditions, including skin disorders, allergies, and arthritis.

Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, triamcinolone acetonide is a prohibited substance in competition, meaning that it cannot be used by athletes during tournaments.

Martin has been provisionally suspended from all tennis-related activities, including training and competition, pending a hearing before an independent tribunal. If found guilty of doping, he could face a ban of up to four years and a fine of up to $100,000.

The 32-year-old Martin has won three ATP Challenger titles and reached the fourth round of the 2016 French Open, his best result in a Grand Slam tournament. He has also represented Slovakia in Davis Cup competition.

Martin has yet to comment on the suspension, but his coach, Jan Kroslak, said in a statement that they were “surprised and disappointed” by the news.

“We are currently reviewing the situation and gathering all the relevant information before deciding on our next steps,” Kroslak said. “We remain committed to the values of fair play and clean sport, and will cooperate fully with the ITF to resolve this matter.”

This is not the first time that Martin has faced controversy over doping. In 2018, he was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open qualifying tournament after suffering a back injury, which he later admitted was caused by a cortisone injection he had received to treat a shoulder injury.

Martin’s case is the latest in a series of high-profile doping scandals in tennis in recent years. In 2016, former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova was suspended for 15 months after testing positive for meldonium, while in 2019, Australian player Nick Kyrgios was fined $113,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and verbal abuse during a tournament in Cincinnati.

The ITF has been cracking down on doping in tennis in recent years, with increased testing and more severe penalties for those found guilty of doping violations. The organization has also been working with national anti-doping agencies to coordinate testing and investigations across the sport.

For Martin, the stakes could not be higher. A doping suspension would not only derail his career, but also tarnish his reputation and legacy in the sport. Only time will tell what the future holds for the Slovakian player.