Wickmayer discusses doping suspension

The ban was announced last weekend by the Flemish Doping Tribunal for her failing to notify officials of her whereabouts on three separate occasions for drug rests.

Wickmayer, 20, a surprise semifinalist at this season's U.S. Open in New York, held a news conference Thursday in Brussels and said she was treated unfairly.

"I knew nothing of the Flemish regulations," a tearful Wickmayer told reporters. "Then there were two violations beside my name. I do not understand why they did not try to contact me when they noticed their registered letters were returned because I was not home."

She said she has taken drug tests regularly and never tested positive, adding a year away would break her career.

She did not say whether she would appeal.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.