Federer Says Players Must Submit To Blood Tests

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 8th November 2013

Federer Says Players Must Submit To Blood Tests

epa03937525 Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after winning the second set against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during a singles Barclays ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 05 November 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

The debate over whether Victor Troicki received a raw deal from the ITF and Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) when he was suspended for 12 months for failing to take a blood test took a new turn on Thursday when ATP Players’ Council chief Roger Federer weighed in more on the side of anti-doping authorities.

Troicki’s childhood friend Novak Djokovic heavily criticized CAS after the organization “only” reduced Troicki’s suspension from 18 months to 12, saying that a Doping Control Officer totally misinformed Troicki, but CAS didn’t buy most of that argument in its ruling.

Rafael Nadal said that while he strongly believes that Troicki did not take a performance-enhancing drug, the Serbian should have consented to drug the test.

Andy Murray said much the same: “Read and respect the rules and everything is very simple.”

Federer didn’t know all the specifics of the Troicki case, but did say that tests should not be avoided.

“It’s very important, I guess, the chaperone, the guy who comes and is next to you like a shadow, sometimes you don’t know who that guy is,” the Swiss said. “Sometimes they’re a little hesitant because you just lost a match and you look extremely angry, so they don’t dare to talk to you. They should probably just introduce themselves and say what is going on. Then you run to the toilet, can’t go to the toilet. It’s happened to me one time. Then the guy has to stay with you all night. It just becomes really complicated. But I do believe that when you are requested for a sample, you have to give the sample. It doesn’t matter how bad you feel. I’m sorry.”

Troicki and Djokovic have both said that because Troicki passed a test the next day that it showed he wasn’t doping, but there are new performance enhancing drugs that disappear in the system within a day and also new potions that can wash away evidence that they entered a person’s system.

“Like the test the next day for me is not a test anymore because what could have happened overnight,’ Federer said. “I don’t believe anything. I believe whatever they decided on. I think it’s just very important to give the sample when you’re requested to give it because there you are in front of them and there is no way to escape anymore. That’s where we just need to be extremely firm…

Overall I trust the system. I think they’re all very professional. I just think it’s very important that they treat us like normal human beings, not criminals. It’s fine to treat a guy bad if the guy tested positive, the guy needs to feel the pain, but not if you haven’t done anything yet. That, to me, seems like that’s the case. So I appreciate that.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp, CAS, djokovic, Itf, Novak, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Tennis, Tennis News, Victor Troicki

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JamesCluskey says:

November 8, 2013 at 8:27 am

RT @10sBalls_com: Federer Says Players Must Submit To Blood Tests: The debate over whether Victor Troicki received a raw… http://t.co/cvd…
Tadhg77 says:

November 8, 2013 at 1:41 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: Federer Says Players Must Submit To Blood Tests: The debate over whether Victor Troicki received a raw… http://t.co/cvd…