Dave Sammel on Richard Gasquet’s drug drama
Richard Gasquet
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France’s Richard Gasquet, who has been recognised as a future Grand Slam champion since the age of nine, faces a two-year ban after admitting to taking cocaine.
News of a failed drugs test broke last week and recently the 22-year-old, who was a Wimbledon semi-finalist two years ago and is a former world No.7, tested positive for traces of the banned substance after giving a urine sample at this season’s Miami Masters in March.
We wanted to find out tennishead’s coaching editor and MCTA’s Managing Director Dave Sammel’s thoughts on the matter.
tennishead: Why do you think he has done it?
Dave Sammel: Why does anyone do social drugs? Although the heavy training demands and the need for a clear mind and healthy body keep most athletes off social drugs, the two drugs with some appeal are marijuana and cocaine.
‘Pot’ is viewed as softer and relaxing so during an off-season (Michael Phelps etc) most would not feel like it has any damaging effects and cocaine is best described as confidence boosting, like alcohol but without the immediate side affects so if taken during a tournament will not affect performance. Whilst in no way condoning drug taking it has to be said that players are human and will sometimes do dumb things to offset insecurities just like the rest of us especially when we feel under pressure.
Mats Wilander and Martina Hingis tested positive for cocaine which ended their careers slightly prematurely, Lewis Hamilton lied recently, Tony Adams and many others succumbed to addictions, Lawrence Dallaglio was implicated and lost the England captaincy and the list goes on and on of famous names who got it wrong. More will be added to the mistakes and addictions list as long as man lives.
My point is that a small percentage of people in high level sport will succumb to pressure or get caught up in a situation or mood where it is easy to “take the chance” but does this make them bad people or should it preclude them from contributing their talents to the sport for long periods?
th: Are there a lot of recreational drugs around the tour?
DS: You can speak to any student or nightclub regular to find out how easy it is, and how accessible drugs are, especially cocaine amongst the jet-set so players will on occasion have to say no to direct offers. However I’m convinced tennis has no drug taking problem and incidents will be few and isolated. Most players are obsessed with the sport and improving their games and their bodies and would never risk a ban from their passion.
th: Do you think he should be banned for a long time?
DS: There has to be a ban as players are role models and drug taking is illegal. My sentiment is sadness when a player is caught for social drug use but downright angry when it comes to performance enhancing (PE) drugs. If proven beyond doubt, PE abusers should be banned for life whereas social abuse in my view would carry a mandatory counseling course – six months for a first offence, one year for a second offence and two years for third offence bans.
Although it would be a rare and isolated incidence, arguably if a player were ever over the limit with alcohol in his blood he would be cheating the public more of his best efforts than cocaine in the blood, which will not affect coordination?
th: Why would he do it if it is not performance enhancing?
DS: Tennis players are ordinary people who play tennis extraordinarily well, so they will face the same problems as anyone else such as girl/boyfriend, manager, coach, parent, sexuality, loneliness, shyness and any other human condition issues. It would be far more surprising if no players were ever caught.
th: Will Gasquet return to the game?
DS: At present Gasquet is innocent until proven guilty, but assuming he is, I’m sure he has unfinished business in the sport, and he will certainly have time to reflect and will probably emerge with greater maturity and desire than ever.
th: Do you have any other comments?
DS: As with any situation we can only guess at the facts and details, but without doubt a few players have escaped without being caught and some of the biggest critics will be filled with hypocrisy. If he is guilty he has to face a consequence but after that he should be welcomed back into the sport and be able to prove it was just a serious but temporary error of judgment. If cocaine can be used to mask PE drugs, and I have no clue if this is possible, then the ban has to be 2 years, as any hint of PE drugs is unacceptable.
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Julia May 17, 06:44 AM
Yes, ban for using performance enhancing drugs, but no way for using recreational drugs – if they ban him for this, then they must do the same with alcohol – wonder how that will go down with the breweries. I am disgusted with the ITF for banning Gasquet without a hearing. I think it is the fans right to decide not some people behind a desk at the ITF who have forgotten what it is like to be 22. I am 54 years, and we all make a mistake now and again. Where are the other players, why are they not speaking out – the only one player that has the guts would be Marat Safin – he knows what it is like to be that age and make mistakes. Give Gasquet a break and insist he be allowed back on court where he belongs. I believe he does not do drugs, but probably got into that party mood and something happened. anyway, he knew the night before (whilst partying) he was not going to play Miami the next day but left it to late to inform the authorities. If the ITF still wants to be involved in the players lives, which I think they should not (other than using performance enhancing drugs) then issue a warning for a first time offence.. I am just appalled with this news.
David Sammel May 19, 07:16 AM
Good comment. Appreciate your time and effort to comment. Thanks Julia.
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