It is good that there are processes in place to assist in keeping players safe, even from themselves and destructive or life threatening behaviors. Also, the dollars involved could derail the sport if criminal elements become linked to players. In addition, there are children, teenagers and young adults who look up to successful sports figures as role models. This is an enormous responsiblity that needs to be embraced by the players. It is part of the fame, the high salaries, and attention bestowed upon them. In spite of the pressures of travelling and competing and emotional and physical strain - unlawful activities, unhealthy life styles, and bad behavior that is over the top - sends the wrong kind of message to aspiring youth. We do not live in a vacuum or as another once said, "No man is an island." Kudos to the WADA for checking into this issue.

federer is just pure class with his comments....and i know that agassi has been of his idols.....

vitality.....good post....no one is perfect....

Thanks Malteser. You are correct about perfection. I do wish whenever discussion about drug use take place that "They" included the information about the physical, degradation, emotional impairment and mental distortions - long term that I have read about that can take place. My disappointment with the news media is that they do not go far enough in their own topic research to include points that would dissuade others from following in the footsteps of the famous. They broadcast the sensationalism and stop short of real intelligent discussion. Those that communicate the "News" have a critically important responsibility too.

I don't really know what to make of these particular comments made by Federer because his comments aren't really saying anything.
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I, for one, hope that the men in charge of the cover-up at the ATP suffer the consequences. The ATP should not be allowed off the hook so easily. They are NOT the victims in this case. As you pointed out Vitality, WADA are supposedly looking into it. I hope that their main mission and focus isn't just on Agassi, but that they see the bigger picture (and core of this issue) and investigate the ATP and the ones responsible for corruption.

What I do know is that we are already beginning to witness the effect Agassi's confession and the exposure of the cover up by the ATP (see, Wickmayer & Malisse case.)

And I have a bad feeling that this is only the start.

I'd also like to add that you made some very good points in your posts Vitality. I hereby nominate YOU for president of the ATP Players Council!

But, seeing as Agassi insists that his confession was made in the hope that it would "help" people, it is on him to ensure that his story is told. I hope that HE succeeds in conveying his own "message". Agassi's PR released those particular excerpts as a "preview" for his autobiography for a reason. They WANTED this fuss and sensationalism. Their main goal is to sell books and make money. As long as people stand in line to buy his book, they don't care if intelligent discussion ever happens. If Agassi fails to truly convey a positive message in his book (he claims is his main mission is to tell his story and help people) and if his words do nothing to improve the lives of the tennis athletes and repair the corrupt and broken system...then I fear that it was all for naught. All for naught, that is, if this is truly about more than just Andre Agassi and the Benjamins.