Rochus Claims Illegal Drug Use is Common

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 1st November 2010

Rochus Claims Illegal Drug Use is Common

Christophe Rochus (BEL) |

Christophe Rochus told a Belgian newspaper that he believes there is illegal drug use in tennis. He also said he “would not be against” legalizing performance-enhancing drugs. “There’s a lot of cheating,” Rochus told the newspaper La Derniere Heure. “Simply, people don’t like to talk about it. I simply would like to stop pretending. This hypocrisy is exasperating.”

Rochus, who has already announced his retirement from the sport, said the ATP send him a warning letter after he spoke out on the drug issue in the past. While he estimated he has been tested 10 to 15 times a year for the last 10 years under the sport’s anti-doping program, he believes some players have managed to evade the system. “People who take these type of products know very well they take risks with their health,” Rochus said. “But they take it knowing because it could let them make a living for their entire family.”

Topics: 10 Years, Atp, Cheating, Christophe Rochus, Health, Hypocrisy, Illegal Drug Use, Legalizing Performance Enhancing Drugs, Lot, Performance Enhancing Drugs, Retirement, Tennis, Warning Letter