Scroll down for UPDATES on Gasquet’s and the French Federation’s responses.
Oh la la, we have une situation!
Richard Gasquet, the enigmatic prince of French tennis, has reportedly tested positive for a controlled substance.
Here’s the scoop from L’Equipe (my translation – click here for the original.) Thanks to SI reporter Jon Wertheim for the Twitter-heads up:
09/05/2009 19:59 – Traces of cocaine were found in the urine sample of Richard Gasquet, tested in Miami when he had to forfeit the tournament. These trace levels of 1.46 microgram (above the sensitivity threshold of 0.5 applied to all accredited laboratories) could suspend the french tennis player for two years if a second opinion corroborates the first analysis .
Indeed, cocaine is one of the major stimulants banned in competition. The french player, who denies taking it voluntarily, did not wish to comment on the information, but should quickly make a hair analysis to show that he is not a regular user. Finally, Team Lagardère (a French high performance training program/management group that works with Gasquet, Cornet and others – ed.) should communicate quickly about this, probably in the middle of Sunday afternoon. – by Damien RESSIOT
Loading ...Personally, this isn’t really that shocking, it it? Richard Gasquet has long seemed to be the most self-destructive and tempestuous of the current French “Musketeers.” Assuming the test is corroborated, it would be tough to guess if Gasquet is just a wild party-boy, a one-time experimenter or a real “doper.” (Although the French hardly share the same reputation as say, the Argentines, when it comes to performance enhancers.)
Random thought – would a two year ban be the absolute worst thing to happen to Gasquet? He could use a break from the grind to reestablish his priorities and realize how he’s wasted so much of his insane talent. And if the tennis thing doesn’t work out, how about founding a posh drug rehab facility in the Swiss Alps – the Gasquet-Hingis Rehabilitation Center for Precocious Prodigies?
RiCH at DtL sees Gasquet belonging more to the Capriati vein of miscreant behavior. Click here to join the conversation.
**UPDATES** May 10: Richard Gasquet has admitted to failing the drug test, but claims his innocence and has submitted himself to independent testing (via BBC – click here):
“I want to prove my innocence and will explain myself at an appropriate time.”
He added: “Given the complexity of the case, I am gathering the evidence of my innocence and will later set a date to make further comments.”
He also said that an independently done hair analysis “showed no trace of cocaine”
The French Federation (FFT) issued a statement: “The FFT will follow with great attention the developments of this case, avoiding making hasty judgments and is anxious to leave the player to organise his defence for the international tennis bodies.”
This is all well and good, but isn’t this how it always goes when a player’s accused? I hope it works out or Gasquet, of course. . .
Gasquet gets his rocks on in Miami. Note the lounge lizard expression. Getty Images photo via ATP.com
Tags: cocaine, drugs, gasquet, richard, tennis, testing positive
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I am not a fan of Gasquets in any way so I don’t follow much of anything about him. When I go to Indian Wells he is at the same hotel that I stay in and he is rarely, if ever, hanging out with the other Frenchies. The French coaches are always strolling the bars for women and the players and friends hang out in the lounge area and all seem to be having good fun, but I can not recall a time I saw Gasquet with them. I see him walking though the hotel or at eating with his coach or just another person or two, I assumed he was super low key and what not but perhaps he goes and does his own partying, that is of course if his tests are positive. Bottom line from what little I have observed of a player I only really know in name this is quite shocking to me.
Oh Richie
But honestly yeah this is no surprise.The boy has been under some serious pressure since he was 9 and it was just bound to happen.I sometimes really think that he was pushed into tennis and that maybe he wouldn’t have picked it if he had a choice.Well hopefully he does make some kind of Capriati come back cause he does deserve it…he is just waaaaay too talented to walk away with nothing.
Hi Mudnessa! Thanks for your IW observations. He does seem friendly enough with the other Frenchies around the courts, but maybe it doesn’t translate to their personal lives?
Jen – here’s hoping this scare show Richard how lucky he is to be playing tennis. It’s like he’s still playing with that 9 year-old’s pressure.
Hi freakyfrites! I’m sorry to hear this, because despite his annoying tennis-implosion ways, I like Richard and would love for him to succeed. I agree with Jen that he may be suffering an identity crisis and burnout. He can be so exciting to watch — I hope he gets through this and decides to rededicate himself to tennis!
so bloody what? who doesn’t have a snort, in fact i’m just waiting for a delivery now.