Rusedski: 47 players tested positive for drugs

Greg Rusedski, the British tennis player who will face a drugs tribunal next month, claimed yesterday that almost half of the world's top 120 players had also tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance nandrolone.

Claiming that he had been victimised, Rusedski challenged the sport's governing body, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), to explain why he was the only player to have been singled out when 46 others had given samples containing traces of the drug.

Rusedski, who admitted the positive test at a tournament in July but protested his innocence, said: "The sample analysis also indicated the presence of the common analytical fingerprint. Instead of treating me in the same category as the other players who have demonstrated elevated levels of nandrolone and the common analytical fingerprint, I have been singled out. This is wrong, unfair and discriminatory.

"Instead of prosecuting me, the ATP should be trying to investigate this matter. No other innocent players should suffer as I have done. I will fight this case to the bitter end. I would invite the ATP to be open about which other players demonstrated elevated nandrolone levels apart from myself."

Tim Henman said he was "as shocked as anybody", at the news about his Davis Cup team mate. "It's a huge surprise," Henman said. "It's an unfortunate situation, but I don't have a lot to say because I don't want to get involved. It's strange that it's come out now, when there has not been an appeal."

The ATP, which adheres to a policy of confidentiality until the conclusion of their testing procedures, declined to comment on Rusedski's allegations.

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