Djokovic Defends Troicki In Drug Charges

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th August 2013

Djokovic Defends Troicki In Drug Charges

epa03779509 Novak Djokovic of Serbia takes on Andy Murray of Britain during the men's final for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 07 July 2013. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

World no.1 Novak Djokovic has announced his support for banned Davis Cup team-mate Viktor Troicki, maintaining the 27 year-old is ‘innocent’ of the doping violation that saw him handed an 18-month suspension by the International Tennis Federation.

More than simple friendship played a part in Djokovic’s thoughts, given following his initial match in Montreal’s Rogers Cup Masters 1000 series event. Troicki’s ban, which runs until January 24, 2015, dictates he will miss Serbia’s Davis Cup semi-final against Canada in Belgrade next month and therefore lessen Serbia’s chances of winning a second Davis Cup title in the space of four years.

“We’re not sure what’s going to happen with Viktor,” said Djokovic after beating Germany’s Florian Mayer. “But I doubt he will be able to play the next Davis Cup tie.

“We all give him big support because he’s definitely innocent. Hopefully he is going to be able to be on the court very soon.”

Troicki briefly took over Djokovic’s normal role of Serbia’s national sporting hero in the 2010 Davis Cup final against France in Belgrade when he clinched victory in the decisive fifth rubber with a straight sets win against Michael Llodra.

The former world no.12 has denied any wrongdoing and maintained he did not take a mandatory blood test at the Monte Carlo Rolex Open because he was feeling unwell. In addition Troicki maintained the doping officer had informed him he could skip the blood test after already having given a urine sample.

‘Not compelling’ was the ITF’s views of Troicki’s excuses and now the Belgrade born player maintains he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

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yvessimonsevy says:

August 7, 2013 at 10:16 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Djokovic Defends Troicki In Drug Charges: World no.1 Novak Djokovic has announced his support for banne… http://t.co/ws…