Chinese Taipei's new generation of tennis players Cao Jiayi was involved in the drug ban scandal, clarifying that she was taking cold medicine and had no intention of using drugs to improve sports performance, and would fully cooperate with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) investigation.

Chinese Taipei's new generation of tennis players Cao Jiayi

Cao Jiayi was tested positive for the banned drug Methylephedrine (Methylephedrine) during the competition in Auckland, New Zealand in January 2025, and voluntarily suspended the competition after receiving the notice, and issued a statement: "Due to the intensive overseas travel at the end of last year, I was extremely unwell and needed to take cold medicine for treatment." On February 20 this year, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) sent a letter informing me that the drug test value was abnormal, and I immediately took the initiative to apply for suspension on March 1, and replied with the relevant content and proof, and am now fully cooperating with the relevant investigation.

I hereby solemnly declare that I have no intention of enhancing my athletic performance through medication. During the suspension period, I will continue to train and wait for the outcome of the investigation, and I will be more cautious about this incident in the future. Thank you for your concern and support. ”

21-year-old Cao Jiayi was born in Chinese Taipei, with a tall body of 1.76 meters, showing extraordinary talent since childhood, emerging in large and small tournaments on the island, after turning professional as a teenager, she won the gold medal of the Chengdu World Universiade women's team in 2023, and won the WTA 250 Hong Kong Open women's doubles championship in October of the same year, which is also the highest-level event gold cup of her career.

In 2024, Cao Jiayi will be favored by "Chinese Taipei's first sister" Xie Shuwei, hand-picked as the Paris Olympic tennis women's doubles partner, and will make her debut in the five-ring hall, ranking among the top 8 to tie Chinese Taipei's best record.