Gasquet: I have never taken cocaine

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:32

The Frenchman was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) last month after testing positive for cocaine at a tournament in Miami in March. If Gasquet fails to clear his name, he could be handed a two-year suspension.

But the 22-year-old said in L’Equipe: “I have never, ever, ever taken cocaine in my life. I understand the suspicion but I will repeat as many times as is necessary: I have never taken this stuff.”

He added: “On the circuit, no-one takes it. When I have to take an aspirin, I call the doctor 10 times to be sure I can.

“I would like to be on court and not with the lawyers, but there is no choice. It will take as long as it has to, I will fight until the end.”

Gasquet pulled out of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami citing a shoulder injury.

On the night of his withdrawal, he claims he went to a club with three other people and ended up sitting at a table with around 15 others. Gasquet is adamant he kept each of his drinks in his hand.

When asked if cocaine was being passed round at the club, he said: “I didn’t see anything and neither did my coach. If we had seen something, we would have left immediately.”

Gasquet continued: “I now know one important thing – one of the people there that night told me cocaine was being passed round our table.

“As it is a tiny quantity which was found in my urine – a trace which I have since learned is the equivalent of a tenth of a line – anything is possible. I know what didn’t happen: I repeat, I never took cocaine.”

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