LONDON — Serbia's Viktor Troicki has been banned for 18 months for failing to provide a blood sample during an anti-doping test before the Monte Carlo Masters in April. The International Tennis Federation said in a statement Thursday that the 53rd-ranked Troicki had provided a urine sample, but not a blood sample, and therefore had violated anti-doping rules. His ban will end Jan. 24, 2015. Troicki, who is competing at the Croatia Open this week at Umag, told a news conference Thursday that “this is the toughest moment of my career and of my life.” “I am innocent,” he said. “I have never ever taken any prohibited substance or ever thought of doing so. I did not lie and this really hurts.” — AP
