Milan  - It's back to business in tennis for formerly banned Filippo Volandri after the Italian earned moral revenge as his three-month doping sanction was reversed on appeal.

The one-time number 25 clay-courter copped a three-month ban in January for a proscribed substance used in his asthma inhaler. But Volandri's lawyers successfully argued their case and got an overturn of the penalty by the international court of sports (CAS) in Lausanne.

The 102-ranked Volandi is fast making up for lost time after the ATP reportedly agreed to refund him all of the prize money and computer points that he lost. "The nightmare is over," said the 12-year veteran.

"The Court of Arbitration recognized my good faith. I used the drug only for therapeutic needs and the ban was excessive. Finally I can start playing again.

"I didn't skip one day of training. Someone made a mistake and will pay for it," he said while announcing a lawsuit for damages. "The only out for tennis officials would be allowing him to compete in the French Open despite a ranking which might not let him in.

"It should just be a formality, otherwise, I'll start over with the smaller tournaments. I'm already planning to play next week in Monza."

Volandri could show a medical exemption from the ITF to use salbutamol, a well known asthma medication which in excessive doses is considered a banned substance.(dpa)