Agassi defends ATP anti-doping policy

Rusedski drug test controversy:Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, world number ones past and present, were quick to defend the ATP's anti-doping policy yesterday, in the light of Greg Rusedski's positive test for nandrolone.

Rusedski, who faces Mark Philippoussis in the second round of the ATP/WTA International here today, has suggested he has the backing of the players in the fight to clear his name. Yet one by one the biggest names appear to be siding with the governing body of men's tennis.

Agassi said: "We can say for sure our sport is the leading, if not the top, sport in drug testing in both its intensity and as far as what they test for.

"It's a very extensive list, probably more extensive than any other sport, and how often they test. Last year I played 13 tournaments. I was tested [via a] urine sample 11 times; I was tested [via a] blood sample eight times, which includes three out-of-competition testings. It's not possible to get more aggressive maintaining the integrity of our sport."

Roddick, the US Open champion, is also satisfied with the system. "We are tested very regularly and for an extremely extensive list of things," he said.

Rusedski claims he has been unfairly singled out for punishment, given that the ATP took no action against seven other players who also tested positive for nandrolone last year.

"To see Greg compete now is one of the things that allows us to know nobody is going to get treated unfairly and that's an important part of this," said Agassi.

Significantly, Wayne Ferreira, spokesman for the militant breakaway players' union the International Men's Tennis Association, also backed the ATP's policy. IMTA is involved in ongoing disputes with the ATP but does not count its drugs policies among them. He said Rusedski can expect a fair hearing when he goes before a tribunal on February 9th.

"They have a board which makes the decision which has nothing to do with the ATP, who are an independent council, so you've got to trust them," said Ferreira.

Earlier, Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), put a more positive spin on matters for the player when he said that if Rusedski could prove his positive test came as a result of supplements being provided by ATP trainers then it would be hard for any ban to be imposed.

Pound said: "If it is established that it was somebody acting on behalf of the ATP - if this was policy - then it is very hard for the same organisation to do anything about it.

"I hope we can get our report done [on other positive tests in tennis] prior to Rusedski's appeal so at least we can have some of the confusion taken out of the mix."

Guardian Service