I just wanted to post this to prove that tennis players are not infallible. We’re constantly hearing about how baseball players juice, basketball players smoke the pot, football players shoot themselves, etc. So, it sort of pleases me in a weird way that French tennis player Richard Gasquet was suspended Monday following a positive cocaine test and will miss the French Open.
The International Tennis Federation expects to have a panel in place within 60 days for a hearing. Gasquet could face a two-year ban if found guilty.
The 22-year-old player is gathering evidence to prove his innocence despite two samples testing positive. He said a separate test of his hair samples May 7 showed no trace of cocaine. Cocaine traces were found in Gasquet’s urine sample at the Sony Ericsson Open, in Key Biscayne, Fla., in March.
“He’s suspended until the end of the hearing,” ITF spokesman Neil Robinson said. “We’re now assembling an anti-doping tribunal. The ideal time frame is within 60 days, but people have to fly in from all over the world for it.”
The French Open, the year’s second major, begins May 24 and the French Tennis Federation withdrew Gasquet’s name after the provisional suspension.
Gilbert Ysern, director general of the French federation, said the test was considered an in-competition control, meaning Gasquet could face a two-year ban if found guilty. A player who tests positive for cocaine out of competition would face a reduced penalty.
Jeez. The ATP Tour doesn’t screw around now does it? Gasquet faces suspension for two years for using a substance that wasn’t even a performance-enhancing drug. Two years for a drug a quarter of the NFL probably uses nightly. Gasquet’s a talented player so it’s unfortunate a decision he made which has nothing to do with tennis can ultimately affect his career. Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Tejada straight-up admitted to using steroids and Bud Selig lets them play whenever they want. Something’s not right.
Here’s hoping his suspension is lenient.
