French tennis star Richard Gasquet stressed that he’s innocent for taking illegal substances and is now in the process of gathering proof to clear himself.
“I am gathering together proof of my innocence and I will choose an appropriate moment to express myself,” Gasquet said in a statement released on Sunday.
According to the report first released by French sports site L’Equipe, there were traces of cocaine found on the urine sample provided by Gasquet at the Miami Masters tournament last March. The tennis pro pulled out of his first round match at that time due to a shoulder injury.
Players usually provide more than one sample for testing. The cocaine traces were reportedly found on the A sample. Gasquet said he’s been informed that the B sample also came out positive.
The French Tennis Federation issued the following statement:
“The FFT will follow developments in this affair with the greatest attention, will avoid passing a hasty moral judgment and take care to leave the player to organize his defense. If the facts are nevertheless proven, it would be particularly regrettable in view of all the efforts the FFT makes with players about (drug) prevention.”
Illegal substances can literally bring a player’s athletic career to an end. In 2007, former world number one and five-time Grand Slam winner Martina Hingis was banned for two years after she was tested positive for cocaine. The “Swiss Miss” announced her permanent retirement in tennis before the decision was handed at that time.
Gasquet, a former Wimbledon semifinalist, achieved a career high ranking of number 7 two years ago. He has since relinquished the post as France’s number one tennis pro to Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils.
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Check out his ATP profile HERE.
