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What punishment will fit the crime for Agassi?

Posted by tennisplanet on October 31, 2009

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7 Responses to “What punishment will fit the crime for Agassi?”

  1. O said

    There are many legends we often talk about: Sampras, Edberg, Becker, Borg, Federer, Nadal … Some are great players, some could be role models. Andre was a great talent, but he doesn’t belong with the best. I would prefer Davydenko to him, bald but hardworking player, not an actor. (Dont know the extent of guilt or damage, dont know what punishment can be applied) As Nadal best put it: The guy damages the sport for no reason.

    • MARIE said

      I always find it uncomfortable and when others are indicted when someone decides to come clean about their own behaviour. But any corrupt organization deserves to be exposed, no matter who reveals the truth. The ATP administrators are charged with upholding the integrity of the sport and ensuring fairness in competition, and they did neither in this case. Agassi being able to go about his business with impunity was certainly not fair to the other players who uphold the rules of the sport. The NFL and NBA have had players involved in public drug scandals and these leagues responded by adopting zero tolerance drug policies. And while there will always be players that violate that policy, enforcement is the key. I’d be surprised if Agassi was the only one, and this will serve as further evidence to some that Tennis is incapable of policing itself when it comes to drug testing. I hope that the ATP will be even more vigilant than they have recently, and that can only help the sport’s image.

      • Jenny said

        Well said, Marie. The ATP have to accept responsibility too. This is a case of locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Why wasn’t the situation dealt with appropriately at the time? Canas wasn’t so lucky, he took a banned substance contained in prescribed medication, he missed over a year on tour [I believe] before his sentence was reduced on appeal, he was even banned from the courts. Even Gasquet was suspended after minute quantities of coke were found in his system, and quite rightly so. Some folk will always argue recreational drugs in sport are somehow acceptable, I disagree with that view, because where do you draw the line. There is a good reason the ATP/WADA have a banned substance list, this stuff has been tested by experts as to the effects on the mind and body, and their Codes of Conduct must be adhered to.

  2. kitty said

    Gasquet might be thinking “Just wait until my book comes out!”

  3. TheHumbleOne said

    I think an apology to balding men everywhere will suffice…

  4. Carolee said

    Yes, THO, I think the bit about wearing a wig and losing in the FO final due to vanity is far more troubling! He did the drugs when he was on a downward spiral. I don’t think he took any major titles, or even minor titles in 1997. It’s pretty depressing.

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