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11/11/09 11:15 AM | Johan Lindahl
Rafael Nadal has again expressed his opposition to the draconian "whereabouts" rule which has already seen two competitors banned for a year.
"I'm the first who wants a very clean sport, more than anyone, believe me", said the four-time French Open champion who has repeatedly said that a regulation requiring players to report their location for at least an hour per day every day of the year to international drug czars is well out of line.
"In my opinion, is not the right way. I would love to have a few changes. I think that's too much to say every day of your life where you are".
Yanina Wickmayer and ATP player Xavier Malisse, who says the ban will likely end his once-promising career, have already been made scapegoats, slapped with one-year bans after missing three reports.
"I'm gonna be always with the player, I will have to defend the player", said Nadal, vice-president of the ATP Player Council headed by Roger Federer.
"I have confidence on my colleagues and other players - I always believe they are clean".
The WTA is already backing plans to lighten the reporting responsibility for athletes in competition, with officials from the drug watchdog World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) well aware of their locations during tournament weeks.
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Nadal is so loyal to his fellow players but I think it's a bit naiive to say I always believe my fellow players are clean. Well, not if the evidence says they aren't. And people have been caught and banned in the past. The best way to catch people out if they are cheating is to have stricter testing and to call in on them with no warning. Essentially, players just need to be organised and if you are not going to be where you originally said, you just let the authorities know you've moved. You have two mess ups before you are banned which occurs on the third occasion you weren't where you said you'd be. Soderling got one strike against him at the French Open because he was not staying where he had nominated. He will only be in trouble if it happens two more times. However, I'm sure he's learned his lesson. It's just a matter of getting used to it and a small price to pay for a clean sport. Yes, most people don't cheat and I can see that if one is clean like Nadal, Federer etc. the new rules are a pain in the neck and a breach of privacy. But if it gives the sport a good reputation, isn't it a small price to pay? And more importantly, won't it discourage people from cheating in the first place because they will be afraid of getting caught out with the tougher rules. Win win, all round, I say.
seam , 11/12/09 5:17 AM
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he's right
tha WADA rule is crazy!
Noody , 11/12/09 4:13 AM