Oct. 25 (UPI) — American Jenson Brooksby received an 18-month suspension because he missed three drug tests within a 12-month period, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced.

The ITIA announced the suspension Tuesday, three weeks after an independent tribunal met and heard from Brooksby and several witnesses. Brooksby denied ever taking a banned substance and plans to appeal the ruling.

“I am very disappointed to learn that I have been suspended for 18 months for having three missed tests,” Brooksby wrote Tuesday on Instagram. “I have never taken a banned substance in my life, and I was open and honest with the ITIA throughout my case.

“I understand that it is my responsibility and will learn and grow.”

Brooksby accepted that the first and third missed tests were valid, but disputes the second missed test. The ITIA said the tribunal examined evidence and found that Brooksby’s “degree of fault for the [second] missed test was high.”

Brooksby’s suspension will be backdated to July 5 and end Jan. 4, 2025.

“I have been fighting injuries for almost a year, and my return to the sport that I love will unfortunately be delayed a little bit longer,” Brooksby said on Instagram. “But I will be back, and I hope it will be soon.”

Brooksby, 22, is the No. 301 player in the ATP singles rankings. He achieved a career-high rank of No. 33 in 2022. He has yet to win a major ATP title.

He underwent surgery on his left wrist and March and on his right wrist in May. He hasn’t played since the 2023 Australian Open in January in Melbourne.