Gasquet banned for using drugs
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Associated Press
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 12, 2009 00:00
LONDON - The ITF suspended French tennis player Richard Gasquet yesterday following his positive test for cocaine, pending a hearing.
The International Tennis Federation said an anti-doping tribunal should be assembled within 60 days to hear the case.
Gasquet says he is gathering evidence to prove his innocence, despite both his "A" and "B" samples coming back positive for cocaine.
Traces of the drug were found in the 22-year-old Gasquet's urine sample at the Sony Ericsson Open, in Key Biscayne, Florida, 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 timeframe is within 60 days, but people have to fly in from all over the world for it." Gasquet could face a two-year ban if found guilty.
The Frenchman, who was ranked seventh in July 2007 but has since slipped to No. 21, has played just five matches since pulling out of the Sony Ericsson Open before his second-round match against Albert Montanes of Spain.
Gasquet cited a right shoulder injury for the withdrawal and has since returned to action in Barcelona and at the Rome Masters, where he lost in the third round to Fernando Verdasco on May 1.
Gasquet was considered a future star when he first arrived on tour.
Gasquet says he is gathering evidence to prove his innocence, despite both his "A" and "B" samples coming back positive for cocaine.
Traces of the drug were found in the 22-year-old Gasquet's urine sample at the Sony Ericsson Open, in Key Biscayne, Florida, 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 timeframe is within 60 days, but people have to fly in from all over the world for it." Gasquet could face a two-year ban if found guilty.
The Frenchman, who was ranked seventh in July 2007 but has since slipped to No. 21, has played just five matches since pulling out of the Sony Ericsson Open before his second-round match against Albert Montanes of Spain.
Gasquet cited a right shoulder injury for the withdrawal and has since returned to action in Barcelona and at the Rome Masters, where he lost in the third round to Fernando Verdasco on May 1.
Gasquet was considered a future star when he first arrived on tour.