Archive for: ban

Gasquet wants to Prove His Innocence

Last  Sunday the French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirmed that world number 23 Richard Gasquet was positively tested on cocaine. “If it is a true, it would be sad news for Richard, for tennis in general and for the French tennis of course,” was their comment. Gasquet has so far until July 12th been banned from the circuit. That already means that he will miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Gasquet, whose residence is in Switzerland, didn’t play that well the last few months and was frequently injured. He last had to abandon in Miami where he then attended a party of French DJ Bob Sinclair and was positively tested on cocaine.

Meanwhile Richard asked for an other independent test to proof that he is not consuming cocaine regularly. “I am collecting evidence for my innocence and I will express myself at the given opportunity.”

Concerning his penalty, what will be relevant is, if it will be judged as during competition or not during the competition. If it is not during the competition he won’t face a penalty. But since he was playing Florida and only forfeited only right before his first game things don’t look that well. Then he might face a two year penalty.

Let’s wait for more evidence…

Martina Hingis Still Proclaims She Is Innocent Over Drugs Ban

Martina Hingis has been a player at the top of the women’s game since she was only 16. Currently the star in serving her two year suspension for having cocaine in her system during Wimbledon back in 2007. Hingis claims she’s completely retired with no chance of returning after her sentence is served out.

She still proclaims her innocence, saying she has no idea how the banned substance entered her system, but gave up the court battle after losing her appeal in front of the International Tennis Federation in December 2007. Her suspension will last through October of 2009 and by then, she will be 29, not an age when she wants to start a third comeback.