Agassi admits to using meth in '97.

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

A. The ITF's drug testing system is easily fooled. It is in fact one of the weakest systems ever. This whole business about tennis having a strict testing system is total BULLCRAP made up so that people don't worry about steroids/doping.

B. There is precedence set in the past that shows the ATP/ITF will sweep things under the rug if they feel that it will damage the sport. Good examples are the recent Agassi meth incident, along with the infamous Rusedski case where it somehow got dismissed under bogus circumstances.

C. Nadal has been accused by a newspaper of being on the list of Doctor Fuentes, well known doping doctor. Not just that, Doctor Fuentes himself admits that he has helped tennis players, soccer players, etc. and not just cyclists.

D. The list has never been released as it is being held up in court by Spanish authorities. Hrm, I WONDER WHY? The only thing the Spanish authorities have said on the matter is that "don't worry we are telling the truth *wink* ".

E. As Drakulie stated, Nadal's Wimbledon withdrawal was dubious and can be considered suspicious.




These all tie together and there's an overwhelming amount of evidence to suggest that many top players in fact have the opportunity to dope, and that it is absurdly easy to get away with it. Even if they do, they can just say "Dude, it was an accident" and get away with it, like Agassi did.

....then you are (for all purposes) throwing your collective hands up, and calling it a day. Unless an official outside body can force Spanish authorities, the ATP & ITF to cough up all relevent information on Nadal (assuming the alleged information has not been destroyed at every source), then all one has is suspicion. More substantial smoking guns are required.

OP: Agassi seems to be continuing on his path of image-shaping and damage control. While Sampras was consistent in making his own history, Agassi repeatedly pissed away his career (which the protective ATP, and certain ex-players never commented on) until his 11th hour salvage job, which makes his number of slams earned over a pockmarked period of time far less impressive than that of the career of Sampras, or even others of his generation with not as many, such as Courier (or the slightly older generation of Becker & Edberg).

That said, this appears to be damage control; at any time, a former celebrity's stab at a bio can be beaten to the punch by other publishers around the world with as much information on the former star as the star himself--including damaging information. Since Agassi's drug abuses was not the Riddle of the Ages, he (Agassi) likely realized others were preparing tell-all bios, thus to appear like a humble, repentant little ex-celebrity, he now tries to reduce the shame by revealing the drug abuses before others can. Will this prevent other tell-all books from surfacing? Who knows, but the books (if they exist and are on the schedule for a run) are likely waiting on Agassi's, and what it may reveal..or supress.

Agassi scores no points with this move.

 

[8pNADAL]

agassi scores full points, just like a born again christian is praised for seeing the light and turning around their life, agassi has done the same ever since his rebelious years, it all began in 1998 (or late 1997 when he started playing challenger events) and now that is even more clear

 

[velkov]

You can condemn Agassi all you want for the crystal meth - and he'd deserve it - but remember, Agassi dropped the habit soon after. Then, in 1998, he made the biggest one-year jump into the Top 10 in the history of the ATP rankings, going from his year-end 122 to number six. He'd win five of his eight major titles after finding the bottom. They call Agassi the greatest returner in history. They aren't kidding... This book is about more than the wrong turns he took. It's about how that broken road led him straight to the good man he is now.

 

[8pNADAL]

im not even sure id call his taking of meth a 'habit', i mean if took it more than once then the regular atp drug testing would have shown it, and agassis story of his drink being spiked wouldnt have worked if he tested positive more than once, so it would seem to be a 'one off'

 

[hifi heretic]

THUNDERVOLLEY: "Agassi seems to be continuing on his path of image-shaping and damage control. While Sampras was consistent in making his own history, Agassi repeatedly pissed away his career (which the protective ATP, and certain ex-players never commented on) until his 11th hour salvage job, which makes his number of slams earned over a pockmarked period of time far less impressive than that of the career of Sampras, or even others of his generation with not as many, such as Courier (or the slightly older generation of Becker & Edberg).

That said, this appears to be damage control; at any time, a former celebrity's stab at a bio can be beaten to the punch by other publishers around the world with as much information on the former star as the star himself--including damaging information. Since Agassi's drug abuses was not the Riddle of the Ages, he (Agassi) likely realized others were preparing tell-all bios, thus to appear like a humble, repentant little ex-celebrity, he now tries to reduce the shame by revealing the drug abuses before others can. Will this prevent other tell-all books from surfacing? Who knows, but the books (if they exist and are on the schedule for a run) are likely waiting on Agassi's, and what it may reveal..or supress.

Agassi scores no points with this move."

..Wow, you couldn't be more sanctimonious. So what if didn't manage his playing career as perfectly as Pete. ...In the years that followed, however, one could hardly do better than what Andre has done. You may call it image-building but I think that is very simplistic and overlooks the hundreds of lives that he has positively affected. ..In the long run this matters so much more than whether or not Andre might have made more of his talent, or whether he tried drugs during a low point in his life.

 

[sureshs]

Now the speculation is that he did not use meth when he was in a "slump" as some posters here are defending, but rather his frequent use of meth contributed to the slump. Now it looks a lot different, eh?

Another fact that is emerging is that his father is a violent man and a control freak. Mike Agassi was not the model "poor and hardworking" immigrant that he was made about to be, who raised his family on hotel tips. More like an uneducated jerk who got his son to make him rich.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

I also think you are not a true Swede. probably from another country living in Sweden. never met/knew a Swede as ignorant (know-nothing) as you, every Swede I have ever known were truly wonderful people.

Seriously, what is wrong with you? :?
I am born in Sweden to Swedish parents and have lived here all my life.
And as ive said before, i know a lot more about tennis than you do.

 

[hifi heretic]

Another fact that is emerging is that his father is a violent man and a control freak. Mike Agassi was not the model "poor and hardworking" immigrant that he was made about to be, who raised his family on hotel tips. More like an uneducated jerk who got his son to make him rich.

okay.. so if you believe this is at least partially true then why the the complete and utter lack of respect for what Andre has done with his life since shaking himself free of his fathers clutches? ..And please don't go back to your comments about his "timing" with respect to the book.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

..Wow, you couldn't be more sanctimonious. So what if didn't manage his playing career as perfectly as Pete. ...In the years that followed, however, one could hardly do better than what Andre has done. You may call it image-building but I think that is very simplistic and overlooks the hundreds of lives that he has positively affected. ..In the long run this matters so much more than whether or not Andre might have made more of his talent, or whether he tried drugs during a low point in his life.

absolutely agree with this and i must add as a personal view that his "coming out" for such a questionable issue only strenghtens my idea that Agassi is the perfect parabola for life.

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

absolutely agree with this and i must add as a personal view that his "coming out" for such a questionable issue only strenghtens my idea that Agassi is the perfect parabola for life.

Or maybe Agassi is coming out with this because it helps sell his book...

 

[drakulie]

Provide some proof--even reports based on reasonable suspicion--anything which calls official statements into question.

I already have.

1. Nadal and his doctors, after his loss at the French stated he was injured, as early as 20 some odd matches prior, including two meaningless exos.

2. Nadal and his doctors stated they did not know what his injury was and/or the extent, yet,,,,,, he played 20 some odd matches including two meaningless exos.

3. The day after his second consecutive exo, he withdraws from Wimbledon as defending champion, citing "inijury" (unknown), and will not play at less than 100%. Only two players have failed to defend their title. Smith in 1972 who withdrew along with 70+ other top ATP pros in protest, and Goran, who had retired. To add, how many thousands of pros have played Wimbledon with injury and or less than 100%?? Hmmmm, and this is supposed to be one of the greatest fighter of our time.

4. Nadal and his doctors stated, at the time of his withdrawal he needed at least 3 weeks rest to "recover, diagnose, and treat". Yet, a few days later he is on a practice court preparing for a Davis Cup Match (while Wimbledon is underway).

5. He comes back from a "serious knee injury", which he has no diagnosis for, and not only plays singles, but doubles on the hardest surface on the joints (hard courts), and claims he is not 100%. :roll: >>> he had already stated he wouldn't play at less than 100% at the most prestigious event in our sport, yet played the entire hard court season, according to him, at "less than 100%"


I conclude the following:

1. He wasn't injured as evidenced by his actions, and rather, was serving a ban.

2. I'll take my own conclusions based on these factual circumstances, and the word of people I personally know, over YOU.

3. The ATP has already proven they will sweep things under the rug for certain high-level players to protect their own interests, os it is not out of the realm,,,, they will do the same for, Nadal.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Or maybe Agassi is coming out with this because it helps sell his book...

or you are an idiot and you do not understand that Agassi does not need more money from book sales since he is a millionaire married to another millionaire?

your point?

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

So what if didn't manage his playing career as perfectly as Pete.

He screwed and doped away prime years, while others in his generation moved forward as they should have until (for whatever reasons) they could not continue. That is the job, and Sampras or Courier did not need "second acts" in an attempt to rescue a career and image from perceptions of "what if" or "what could have been."

You may call it image-building but I think that is very simplistic and overlooks the hundreds of lives that he has positively affected.

...and you think any of this cannot be the result of trying to create a personal legacy/save face--particularly in the wake of years of flushing it down the toilet? This is nothing new for ex-celebrities with a fragile ego, and those attempting to prevent others from revealing dirty secrets (which in the hands of others, would make the subject appear to be a liar or fraud built on false images).

 

[NamRanger]

....then you are (for all purposes) throwing your collective hands up, and calling it a day. Unless an official outside body can force Spanish authorities, the ATP & ITF to cough up all relevent information on Nadal (assuming the alleged information has not been destroyed at every source), then all one has is suspicion. More substantial smoking guns are required.

No, I'm just awaiting the day Nadal gets busted.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

No, I'm just awaiting the day Nadal gets busted.

Considering how Agassi rolled in the mud of corruption like some drug-addled pig without so much as a suspicious shot fired from critics, i'm thinking Nadal will be able to end his career without an offical investigation exposing him (and associated parties).

...but it would be fascinating if the charges turned out to be true.

 

[Alec78]

Big woop dee doo about this.
A lot of tennis players down in the dumps have consumed illicit substances...
But I won't be buying this book unless it's on sale, since I think the timing is a bit sensationalistic and generating a lot of publicity for his autobiography...

I'll take your first point one step further. I am positive that the vast majority of us - meaning humans, not just tennis players - have taken drugs as an escape or to relieve stress. Drugs include alcohol and nicotine, by the way. Whether the substance is legal or illegal is incidental.

I wouldn't buy an athlete's bio, but I'll borrow Agassi's from the library. I've always liked him and am interested in his story.

 

[NamRanger]

Considering how Agassi rolled in the mud of corruption like some drug-addled pig without so much as a suspicious shot fired from critics, i'm thinking Nadal will be able to end his career without an offical investigation exposing him (and associated parties).

...but it would be fascinating if the charges turned out to be true.

Agassi was a flamboyant public figure that was loved. Even Nadal, who is extremely popular, doesn't even come close to the level of star power that Agassi has. I'm not even sure Federer is even with Agassi in terms of popularity. That's how popular Agassi was, and that's probably why it was important to keep this whole meth thing (if what he says is true, which is plausible) away from the public.

 

[hifi heretic]

He screwed and doped away prime years, while others in his generation moved forward as they should have until (for whatever reasons) they could not continue. That is the job, and Sampras or Courier did not need "second acts" in an attempt to rescue a career and image from perceptions of "what if" or "what could have been."

...and you think any of this cannot be the result of trying to create a personal legacy/save face--particularly in the wake of years of flushing it down the toilet? This is nothing new for ex-celebrities with a fragile ego, and those attempting to prevent others from revealing dirty secrets (which in the hands of others, would make the subject appear to be a liar or fraud built on false images).

Wow, what a miserable judgmental nit you are. ..What business is of yours if his career was less than it might have been? Of the many millions of people who play tennis, Agassi has achieved more than ALL but maybe a dozen or so other people and yet you seem to think he's a failure. What the hell is wrong with you??

Would have respected him more if instead of working to open a tuition-free charter school for at-risk children in Vegas he instead focused his efforts at winning a few more stupid tennis tournaments?

As for his brush with drugs, I repeat what I said yesterday: Did anyone really think there was nothing like this in his past?? How many people who have lived a life like his have avoided this?

- The son of an over ambitious stage parent father who traded away his kids youth and right to pick his own pursuits for vicarious fame
- The kid over achieves and earns millions of dollars at an age when most kids have to save for a few weeks to buy a cd.
- More praise and attention is piled on him then any human should receive in a lifetime
- As a teenager his is offered a fat sponsorship contract with Canon which - encapsulating all that is ill with fame - is called "Image is Everything"

honestly, I'm surprised his life didn't end with him bending a Porsche around a tree or a total spiral into drug abuse. The list of others who have met this demise is nearly endless.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Wow, what a miserable judgmental nit you are.

...said the hypocritical, atrophied mind who just made a judgement.

Not too smooth, defensive fan.

What business is of yours if his career was less than it might have been?

What busuness do you have defending his career? Nice how this line of questioning works both ways, little one.

Of the many millions of people who play tennis, Agassi has achieved more than ALL but maybe a dozen or so other people and yet you seem to think he's a failure.

Millions are not among the active pros now, or when he played, so the goals of fans/recreational players (the only group you could be referring to) is a poor, irrelevant example.

So, you would have respected him more if instead of working to open a tuition-free charter school for at-risk children in Vegas he instead focused his efforts at winning a few more stupid tennis tournaments.

Typical of an obsessed fan, you are focusing on his school--which has nothing to do with the direct issues of his drug abuses while a pro, and covering it up. THAT is the issue, and saving face (possible before anyone else could expose him) and building a legacy are the likely overall motives for revealing it at this point in time. If you cannot understand that, or read between the lines...then whatever, but your fan-rant is not exactly convincing.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

i see pompous judgmental cretins!

 

[Alec78]

Or maybe Agassi is coming out with this because it helps sell his book...

Of course, that's the idea behind "writing" a book if you're an entertainer. It's a commercial endeavor first and foremost, not an artistic one. And in that spirit, it's only wise to release a teaser that will surprise the buying public and leave them wanting more.

 

[Slazenger07]

What??!?!!? :shock:
Chrystal meth?? Isnt that a heavy drug???

Heavy? Meth? Uh, yea its only one of the most addicitive drugs out there second probably only to heroin. Had a buddy that used to be hooked on that stuff. He was a totally different person on it, almost ruined his life.

 

[Slazenger07]

And we'll still think he was awesome.

For good reason, he was...

 

[Azzurri]

Seriously, what is wrong with you? :?
I am born in Sweden to Swedish parents and have lived here all my life.
And as ive said before, i know a lot more about tennis than you do.

then you are the first and only Swede I have ever met that is this ignorant. congratulations.

 

[Tyrus]

For good reason, he was...

I actually have more respect for Agassi for owning up to this, the results could have been catastrophic, but he emerged a better player, better person, and is not afraid to own up to the mistakes he made in hopes that we can learn from that. That's respect right there.

But i do have to say between ESPN and SI they are doing a fantastic job of unraveling the publicity and controversy making us really want to buy this book!

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

i see pompous judgmental cretins!

I see hypocrites doing the very thing they accuse others of.

Amusing.

 

[hifi heretic]

.
Typical of an obsessed fan, you are focusing on his school--which has nothing to do with the direct issues of his drug abuses while a pro, and covering it up. THAT is the issue, and saving face (possible before anyone else could expose him) and building a legacy are the likely overall motives for revealing it at this point in time. If you cannot understand that, or read between the lines...then whatever, but your fan-rant is not exactly convincing.

..I'm not an obsessed fan of ANY celebrity, least of all a pro athlete. God forbid. What I am, however, is someone who detests people who are judgmental and intolerant. ..Which is precisely how you, and sureshs, comes across. I wonder how your life would hold up to such scrutiny?

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

I see hypocrites doing the very thing they accuse others of.

Amusing.

Thats Gorecki, the biggest hypocrite on here, the guy walks into threads insulting anyone with a different opinion to himself.

 

[sureshs]

Absence of evidence? Uh, no.


The Doctor Fuentes list that the Spanish Government refuses to release is actually a big pivotal piece of evidence. If Nadal's name happens to be on the list, he's pretty lucky that the Spanish Government also happens to be tying it up in court so the public / other anti-doping authorities don't get to see it.



Nadal's name is reportedly on that list because there are suspicions. Period. If the list cannot be released, he will remain in suspicion. The evidence presented against Nadal shows that it would be very easy to dope and get away with it, and if caught, he could easily make up some excuse and still get away freely. No hard evidence links Nadal to doping, but there is a ton of circumstantial evidence that is building up against him.



You can defend Nadal till the hills come home, but there is a ton of facts that put him in an unfavorable light.


A. Nadal is known for his unbreakable stamina

B. Nadal's home country had a huge scandal with Doctor Fuentes, who allegedly (and admitted to it) helped tennis players, cyclists, and soccer players gain an unfair advantage over other competitors.

C. Doctor Fuentes' list is tied up in court for who knows how long. We probably won't know who all 200 athletes are until 30 years by now.

D. The ITF's testing policy and repeated attempts to sweep things under the rug both show that it would be incredibly easy for a marquee player to dope, get away with, and avoid punishment should he be caught.

E. Recent actions by Nadal prove to be extremely contradictory of his usual attitude, which is to no matter what, play every tournament he possibly can. The man played Rotterdam injured for crying out loud. You think he can't buckle those knees up and take a little tendinitis for playing the world's most PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT. Really?




I mean, this is like there's a dead body next to you, a gun near you, blood stains on you, and you saying you didn't do it. How much more evidence do you want?

The US government and Swiss banks have compiled a list of tax evaders and kept in a shroud of secrecy because it involves big names and banks like UBS. This has been going on for years but the list is new. Therefore, Bill Gates <or insert your famous rich guy name> has stashed his money there. Case closed.

It has been explained over and over again that there are perfectly valid reasons for Nadal not playing Wimbledon. It is really difficult to delve into them again, so you need to find them yourself. Remember that people don't think the way you suppose them to. You cannot make up you own reasons to explain other's behavior as it only reveals the limits of your experience. You can never understand another person's motivations. It may be as simple as a nagging pain which is a huge issue when you are facing a pro, or a more complicated mixture of previous defeats, injury and family issues.

Do you realize that hate has made you incapable of rational thinking? I have an advice for you: kindly don't sit in any jury because you are mentally incapable of logical thought. I first thought you were arguing just to poke people here, but now it looks like you are really convinced. I wonder what you get out of this though? Does it make you feel superior in some way to Nadal or makes you believe that Federer would never have been defeated by Nadal if he had been caught? Because neither of them give a rat's ass about you.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

..I'm not an obsessed fan of ANY celebrity

Your defensive behavior and need to resort to ad hominem comments suggests the opposite.

I wonder how your life would hold up to such scrutiny?

Pointless.

If he (Agassi) did not want additional scrutiny, logic dicates he would not have thought it a good move to reveal his drug abuse. Obviously, other motives washed away the very concern of scrutiny you offer now. Not too convincing.

 

[jimbo333]

Only an avid tennis player would discuss the string pattern while looking at this Agassi photo! :???:

Yep, that's me

Nobody has yet explained if he usually used this 16x19 string pattern on his Donnay Pro One's?

 

[rafan]

So what do we conclude from his statement? Primarily it is not so much about the fact that he used drugs to get to where he was but when he had played so much that he was getting fed up with the game and had to "perform" one more time. I wonder sometimes if this is a situation we are seeing in our top two. Not that they would take drugs but the fact that they too may be getting fed up of "performing just one more time" It is a sad state of affairs for Agissi to have to admit but in a way understandable. Tennis may be an incredible game but for the players the repetition must wear them down sometimes

 

[random1]

What a hottie he was back then... Then he lost his hair. Must have been the meth :shock:

Sort of...
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/agassi-sold-hair-to-buy-drugs-200910292180/

 

[Rabbit]

The US government and Swiss banks have compiled a list of tax evaders and kept in a shroud of secrecy because it involves big names and banks like UBS. This has been going on for years but the list is new. Therefore, Bill Gates <or insert your famous rich guy name> has stashed his money there. Case closed.

It has been explained over and over again that there are perfectly valid reasons for Nadal not playing Wimbledon. It is really difficult to delve into them again, so you need to find them yourself. Remember that people don't think the way you suppose them to. You cannot make up you own reasons to explain other's behavior as it only reveals the limits of your experience. You can never understand another person's motivations. It may be as simple as a nagging pain which is a huge issue when you are facing a pro, or a more complicated mixture of previous defeats, injury and family issues.

Do you realize that hate has made you incapable of rational thinking? I have an advice for you: kindly don't sit in any jury because you are mentally incapable of logical thought. I first thought you were arguing just to poke people here, but now it looks like you are really convinced. I wonder what you get out of this though? Does it make you feel superior in some way to Nadal or makes you believe that Federer would never have been defeated by Nadal if he had been caught? Because neither of them give a rat's ass about you.

Wow, hate? That's quite a leap. I think you just violated the "logic" in the rest of your post. How can you ascribe hate to him? Do you know him? Have you seen him? Talked to him? That's quite a deduction from the limited exposure you've had....

Incapable of logical thought? Shouldn't you have hard evidence to the contrary before pronouncing him incapable? Certainly you then are as guilty as you say he is of jumping to conclusions, you're just in the other direction. But since it's you, we should all believe? Hardly.

And, just because you've never seen something or touched it, does that make it non-existant? Do you not believe in the preponderance of evidence? If you saw a column of smoke in the distance, you would not suspect fire until it burned you?

Evidence:

• In the history of Open tennis, there have been two (2) Wimbledon champions who did not defend, Stan Smith & Rafael Nadal.
• Smith joined an ATP boycott of Wimbledon in 1973 to protest the treatment/suspension of a fellow player, Niki Pilic.
• Nadal said he was unfit to play, and yet he played two warmup events on grass and
• Nadal competed in the French Open sans tape on his knees and
• Nadal left the tour 6/25/09 to return 8/10/2009 self-admittedly 100%. He practiced during his off period....Darren Cahill had the same injury Nadal reportedly had and it ended Cahill's career yet Nadal not only "recovers" that quickly, but also practices?
• Since rejoining the tour, Nadal has made QF, SF, SF, SF, F with no tournament wins. Apparently he can't take a bite out of a trophy without some juice to go along with it....
• Andre Agassi, a superstar of Nadal's stature, tested positive for a banned substance and was given a hall pass based on a note he submitted on a legal pad....the incident was NEVER reported or disclosed....
• Lesser stars, Mariano Puerta, Guillermo Canas, & Richard Gasquet all banned for similar offenses
• Puerta banned for 8 years - the longest in tennis history
• Canas banned for 2 years and had to forfeit $276,000 in prize money (later restored but only after litigation and protest)
• Gasquet banned for 1 month only restored after protest and support from none other than Nadal
• Andre Agassi tests postive and hand writes a note on a legal pad and mails it....

I don't know, but it seems to me there's plenty of evidence of the top players getting a hall pass...

And if there's enough smoke, then there's bound to be fire.

 

[Chadwixx]

Then, in 1998, he made the biggest one-year jump into the Top 10 in the history of the ATP rankings, going from his year-end 122 to number six.

If you dont think someone who takes one of the hardest drugs on earth wouldnt do steroids your lying to yourself. It was the beginning of the steroid era, he was about to hit 30 and he got alot stronger and better. Pretty obvious if you ask me.

Anyone remember rios calling agassi out to take an on the spot drug test in south america and agassi ran saying his kid just got kidnapped?

 

[sureshs]

Wow, hate? That's quite a leap. I think you just violated the "logic" in the rest of your post. How can you ascribe hate to him? Do you know him? Have you seen him? Talked to him? That's quite a deduction from the limited exposure you've had....

Incapable of logical thought? Shouldn't you have hard evidence to the contrary before pronouncing him incapable? Certainly you then are as guilty as you say he is of jumping to conclusions, you're just in the other direction. But since it's you, we should all believe? Hardly.

And, just because you've never seen something or touched it, does that make it non-existant? Do you not believe in the preponderance of evidence? If you saw a column of smoke in the distance, you would not suspect fire until it burned you?

Evidence:

• In the history of Open tennis, there have been two (2) Wimbledon champions who did not defend, Stan Smith & Rafael Nadal.
• Smith joined an ATP boycott of Wimbledon in 1973 to protest the treatment/suspension of a fellow player, Niki Pilic.
• Nadal said he was unfit to play, and yet he played two warmup events on grass and
• Nadal competed in the French Open sans tape on his knees and
• Nadal left the tour 6/25/09 to return 8/10/2009 self-admittedly 100%. He practiced during his off period....Darren Cahill had the same injury Nadal reportedly had and it ended Cahill's career yet Nadal not only "recovers" that quickly, but also practices?
• Since rejoining the tour, Nadal has made QF, SF, SF, SF, F with no tournament wins. Apparently he can't take a bite out of a trophy without some juice to go along with it....
• Andre Agassi, a superstar of Nadal's stature, tested positive for a banned substance and was given a hall pass based on a note he submitted on a legal pad....the incident was NEVER reported or disclosed....
• Lesser stars, Mariano Puerta, Guillermo Canas, & Richard Gasquet all banned for similar offenses
• Puerta banned for 8 years - the longest in tennis history
• Canas banned for 2 years and had to forfeit $276,000 in prize money (later restored but only after litigation and protest)
• Gasquet banned for 1 month only restored after protest and support from none other than Nadal
• Andre Agassi tests postive and hand writes a note on a legal pad and mails it....

I don't know, but it seems to me there's plenty of evidence of the top players getting a hall pass...

And if there's enough smoke, then there's bound to be fire.

So now Nadal not winning is also a proof?

Frankly, don't even bother any more please. I am normally not harsh on people, but I have to say this: you are a misguided and hating ignorant fool.

Sorry, but someone had to say this. You need to look deep into yourself and ask if that is not true. Don't feel bad, it is not personal, but what has happened is that outfits like Fox News who create an alternate hate universe with lots of money are bound to affect society in the long run. The idea that ignorance and hate can be elevated to virtues by repetition is not new, but the scale at which it is being deployed is concerning these days. It has given rise to mindsets such as yours and it is quite sad.

 

[rafan]

I already have.

1. Nadal and his doctors, after his loss at the French stated he was injured, as early as 20 some odd matches prior, including two meaningless exos.

2. Nadal and his doctors stated they did not know what his injury was and/or the extent, yet,,,,,, he played 20 some odd matches including two meaningless exos.

3. The day after his second consecutive exo, he withdraws from Wimbledon as defending champion, citing "inijury" (unknown), and will not play at less than 100%. Only two players have failed to defend their title. Smith in 1972 who withdrew along with 70+ other top ATP pros in protest, and Goran, who had retired. To add, how many thousands of pros have played Wimbledon with injury and or less than 100%?? Hmmmm, and this is supposed to be one of the greatest fighter of our time.

4. Nadal and his doctors stated, at the time of his withdrawal he needed at least 3 weeks rest to "recover, diagnose, and treat". Yet, a few days later he is on a practice court preparing for a Davis Cup Match (while Wimbledon is underway).

5. He comes back from a "serious knee injury", which he has no diagnosis for, and not only plays singles, but doubles on the hardest surface on the joints (hard courts), and claims he is not 100%. :roll: >>> he had already stated he wouldn't play at less than 100% at the most prestigious event in our sport, yet played the entire hard court season, according to him, at "less than 100%"


I conclude the following:

1. He wasn't injured as evidenced by his actions, and rather, was serving a ban.

2. I'll take my own conclusions based on these factual circumstances, and the word of people I personally know, over YOU.

3. The ATP has already proven they will sweep things under the rug for certain high-level players to protect their own interests, os it is not out of the realm,,,, they will do the same for, Nadal.

What a load of fairytale tosh. If you are daft enough to think that Nadal, after all he has fought for and been through to get where he is would risk been tested positive for any drug then you are seriously misguided. So from your conclusion we must all be extra vigilant when they are playing to look for "symptoms" - must not sweat too much, must not look too much like a healthy athlete, god help him if he comes back and wins the lot next year after a well earned rest.

 

[ohplease]

Evidence:

• In the history of Open tennis, there have been two (2) Wimbledon champions who did not defend, Stan Smith & Rafael Nadal

To nitpick - reading this immediately made me go see if Goran defended his Wimbledon - he didn't.

 

[ksbh]

I don't know & don't care if Agassi used drugs. He was a professional par excellence when he was on. Despite coming up against the most offensive player in the history of the sport (Sampras), he brought all he had to court. Didn't hold anything back

Contrast that attitude to Andy Roddick, the current torch-bearer of American tennis, who's content to walk away with the runners-up trophy the moment he realizes it's Federer he has to play! Sad!

As for those dimwits that are pulling their hair out trying to portray Nadal as a drug user, good for them because it'll save them a visit to the barber ... and also because it's thoroughly amusing seeing their desperation! LOL!

 

[Power Player]

I'm still looking for any logical reason that Agassi should be criticized for building and running a school that helps inner city kids get into college. If the only reason is that it is self serving, then I only wish that everybody was this selfish.

 

[jwbarrientos]

It is not proved that Rafa /smoke/drink/kissed/touched or whatever ...

If Andre adminited, then must be punished... no discusion, as was said, many players not named Andre Agassi were banned.

What is the deal? ok, if you were a #1, everything is ok?

ATP must state sth about this.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

then you are the first and only Swede I have ever met that is this ignorant. congratulations.

How does writing that "Agassi was lost in 1997 and probably unhappy with Brooke Shields" make me ignorant??
Am I missing something?
And why are you writing that all i ever did was see Agassi on youtube? Ive even seen him live, i mean, where do you come up with all your BS?

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Thats Gorecki, the biggest hypocrite on here, the guy walks into threads insulting anyone with a different opinion to himself.

Thats...actually very true...unfortunately.
I dont get it sometimes
:-?

 

[Azzurri]

What a load of fairytale tosh. If you are daft enough to think that Nadal, after all he has fought for and been through to get where he is would risk been tested positive for any drug then you are seriously misguided. So from your conclusion we must all be extra vigilant when they are playing to look for "symptoms" - must not sweat too much, must not look too much like a healthy athlete, god help him if he comes back and wins the lot next year after a well earned rest.

this statement made me think of Rafael Palmeiro. This guy pointed a finger at CONGRESS and told them he never had and never would take roids...lo and behold we come to find out he did. If anything, the Rafael situation is much worse because he told his GOVERNMENT in front of MILLIONS that he never took roids. He stood to lose his livelyhood and the HALL OF FAME. I guess that was not enough to NOT take roids and you expect anyone to think Nadal would not have reason??? You are very gullable.

Our boy Palmiero: do you still believe him?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAxo4pCITRM



I think Nadal may have seen this clip and decided to get off the juice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tddt...B6BAC884D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6

or maybe this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmu_h8HCiGo&feature=PlayList&p=31B53AFB6BAC884D&index=9

 

[Rabbit]

So now Nadal not winning is also a proof?

12 bullet points and you pick one......way to go.....nice rebuttal

Frankly, don't even bother any more please. I am normally not harsh on people, but I have to say this: you are a misguided and hating ignorant fool.

Oh the daggers.....wow, another stretch from such a limited mind.....

Sorry, but someone had to say this. You need to look deep into yourself and ask if that is not true. Don't feel bad, it is not personal, but what has happened is that outfits like Fox News who create an alternate hate universe with lots of money are bound to affect society in the long run. The idea that ignorance and hate can be elevated to virtues by repetition is not new, but the scale at which it is being deployed is concerning these days. It has given rise to mindsets such as yours and it is quite sad.

I think I might cry.....a little self-absorbed or convince of your own self-importance? Nothing you can say would ever make me feel bad...in fact, the only thing that you could do to make me question myself is agree with me.

What a tool you are.....

To nitpick - reading this immediately made me go see if Goran defended his Wimbledon - he didn't.

You are correct, I stand corrected.

Goran, I believe, was recovering from shoulder surgery during that Wimbledon and did not play any warmups or practice.

 

[sureshs]

Nadal is a great lad

Nadal-"Asked about the surprise statements Andre Agassi, in which the U.S. admitted having used drugs. "I think is fatal," said Nadal, who said he did not understand "why say that now because he is retired, is a way of hurting the sport without any sense. If at the time the ATP covered the topic of Agassi and yes I passed other seems a lack of respect for all sports and from my point of view I want, I believe and hope that none of this is happening now. I think we have a clean sport and I am one who it want it to be, though I disagree with forms. The cheaters must be punished and if Agassi was a cheater in his day should have been punished, "

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Nadal-"Asked about the surprise statements Andre Agassi, in which the U.S. admitted having used drugs. "I think is fatal," said Nadal, who said he did not understand "why say that now because he is retired, is a way of hurting the sport without any sense. If at the time the ATP covered the topic of Agassi and yes I passed other seems a lack of respect for all sports and from my point of view I want, I believe and hope that none of this is happening now. I think we have a clean sport and I am one who it want it to be, though I disagree with forms. The cheaters must be punished and if Agassi was a cheater in his day should have been punished, "

Nadal needs to stfu, he is a hypocrite, cry-baby, buttpicker and time-delayer. He is nowhere near being considered "clean" .

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Thats Gorecki, the biggest hypocrite on here, the guy walks into threads insulting anyone with a different opinion to himself.

is that so' please tell this forum how is it that you provoked me with no reason whatsoever by quoting my post out of the context and i'm the one who randomly enters threads to "insult" people.

in this particular case one where dozens of momos like you are insulting what could be the greatest start of this sport all time because he did wrong a few times in his life...

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

in this particular case one where dozens of momos like you are insulting what could be the greatest start of this sport all time because he did wrong a few times in his life...

Agree with this- it works both ways.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Thats...actually very true...unfortunately.
I dont get it sometimes
:-?

Agree with this- it works both ways.

i see...

so it all boils down to what you, me and Cescblabberalot prefer... :evil:

glad we got this straight!:twisted: