After saying that famous cyclist Lance Armstrong should be made to suffer after the cyclist’s confession to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs, Novak Djokovic defended tennis current testing. The Serbian believes that it’s rigorous enough.
“It’s really good,” he said. “Anti-doping regulations a little bit maybe more strict in sense that you have to fill the whereabouts documents and you have to basically give an hour or two in every day of your life in a whole year, where you are. But on the other hand, it gives them an opportunity to test you. And you know it is the same for the other players. At least from that point of view it’s fair. And I have nothing against the anti‑doping federation, association, testing me 10, 20, 30 times a year. “
Djokovic, who takes the No. 1 position seriously on court and off and is often outspoken on issues, believes that the icon Armstrong years of cover-up and subsequent mea culpa affects athletes worldwide.
“I think it’s a disgrace for the sport to have an athlete like this,” he said. He cheated the sport. He cheated many people around the world with his career, with his life story. I think they should take all his titles away because it’s not fair towards any sportsman, any athlete. It’s just not the way to be successful. So I think he should suffer for his lies all these years.”
Djokovic did say thought that the last time he was blood tested was about six or seven months ago. Blood testing is considered to be more effective than urine testing, but it much more costly and funding for the ITF, which hires people to conduct the testing, would have to be increased.
“It was more regularly in two, three years ago,” Djokovic said. “I don’t know the reason why they stopped it. From my point, I mean, I was more than clear. I have nothing against the blood tests … even though I prefer urine more. I don’t like the needles too much, But of course the money in that direction should be invested because it’s always, let’s say, a safeguard for our sport that they’re investing money in our sport that is going to protect our sport and players.”
©Daily tennis news wire
Topics: Itf, Lance Armstrong, Novak Djokovic, ophrs whinfrey, Sports, Tennis, tennis new