Sports

Nadal wages war on doping rules

PARIS, May 29, 2009 (AFP)
French Open champion Rafael Nadal launched a new broadside at world sport's controversial new doping rules claiming players were being harassed by testers.

The Spaniard repeated his opposition to the World Anti-Doping Agency rules which demand players let drug-testers know their whereabouts for a period of one hour on every day of the week.

Nadal said he was paid his latest visit by testers when he was at home in Madrid last week.

“I was with my friends. Then I had a bath and my mother called me. She told me the guys were in my house in Madrid. It was my only free evening. I have to take this anti-doping control,” said Nadal.

“It was the same several days ago. (David) Ferrer and Fernando (Verdasco) were tested as well, at 6:00 a.m.

“It's crazy. I don't know if, from a legal point of view, this is correct.
That is, to know where you are every single moment of your life, and to account for this. This is what I think.

“I don't think this is a right thing to do. It's wrong. It's a high price to pay to practice your sport, to play tennis.

“I want tennis to be as clean as possible, of course. This is crystal clear. But there's room for maneuvering. You see, there's a certain type of leeway.

Nadal also added that he was convinced French player Richard Gasquet was innocent of doping despite the Frenchman testing positive for cocaine in Miami this year.

Gasquet, who has been suspended, is facing a two-year ban from the sport.

“I have spoken to Richard last week on the phone. I am convinced that he did not take anything, that he did not take cocaine,” said the Spaniard.

“He is a good friend of mine. I know him very well, it's impossible.

“These days, when you go to a party anything can happen. You could kiss a girl who has taken cocaine and that's it.....it can destroy a career as well as your reputation.
 
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