MONTREAL, October 21, 2017 (Press Release)

Tennis Canada announced on Friday that Rebecca Marino’s return to tennis has been delayed due to ITF administrative regulations. The 26-year-old Canadian was looking to resume her professional playing career this week at the $60,000 Saguenay National Bank Challenger, after stepping away from the sport in 2013.

Marino announced her retirement from tennis in February of 2013, after revealing her battle with depression. According to ITF regulations, players who have signed their official retirement papers “may not return to compete in a Covered Event unless he/she has made him/herself available for Out-of-Competition Testing (by notifying the ITF of his/her intent to return and by making him/herself available for Testing) for at least six months prior to the Covered Event in question, in accordance with the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code. These Covered Events include, but are not limited to, Grand Slams, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympics, Paralympics, WTA Tour, ATP Tour, Challenger Series, ITF Pro Circuits, Juniors, Wheelchair and ITF Beach Tennis events.”

Therefore, Marino will be unable to compete in the upcoming Challenger event in Saguenay and will have to wait before returning to competition.