Canas banned from the US Open grounds

[Kevin Patrick]

Just read this, sounds a bit extreme:

Guillermo Canas is in New York with girlfriend/player Maria Emilia Salerni, however the US Open will not let him on the grounds: "It's very ugly. He is no criminal," commented Carlos Moya. "This is beyond of what it should be. I didn't even know that rule existed. It's insane. Allowing him to see his girlfriend's matches wouldn't hurt anyone."

http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2005-08-30/d.php

 

[norcal]

That's why it's called banned! He should have bought a ticket for the nosebleeds and he would have got in.

 

[wildbill88AA]

somebody should introduce him to a good lawyer.

 

[gugafanatic]

He has abused the rules of the game. How does he expect to roll up into stadiums without people labelling him a cheat. Canas needs to keep a low profile.

 

[supersmash]

Larry H. Parker will fight for you! 1-800- 333 ahh forget it.

 

[BreakPoint]

Yeah, that's going a lttle overboard. I mean what's wrong with being a spectator? He's not on the court playing or anything. Or does the USTA think he'll be a bad influence on the other clean players? What, Canas is a drug pusher, now? Puleeeeeeeze!

 

[norcal]

somebody should introduce him to a good lawyer.

I'm sure part of the ban is not being allowed at tour stops. He had his day in court (so to speak) and he lost. I bet his girlfriend was gonna get him a pass so he could sit in her player's box. It seems extreme to keep him off the grounds but it does send a no nonsense message doesn't it?

 

[federerhoogenbandfan]

This seems unfair, far too extreme. In Baseball the drug users are playing within 15 days of course, and are probably in camp with their teammates every day during their "suspension".

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

Overboard and uncalled for.

 

[sauternes]

I agree that this may seem extreme, but many of the other sports have really been dragged down with the whole issue of performance enhancing drugs. I've heard other sports talk about "zero-tolerance", but tennis is really one of the few that is taking it to heart. Tennis has made a clear statement that it will not tolerate PEDs, and the consequences of using them will be dire. I'm sure the ATP expected a scenario like this occuring (Canas trying to watch a friend/girlfriends match), but I applaud their dedication to making a ruling that has some teeth.

I'm not saying that the rules are perfect or that there aren't people who still cheat the system, but the message is loud and clear:

Use PEDs and you will pay dearly.

 

[Chadwixx]

i wonder if they ban real criminals. kill and rape and u can come in, play on our tour and have a doping allegation and u cant.

more brillance from the brains in the usta.

 

[arosen]

That's just brutal. He is a human being. He should be entitled to at least common courtesy.

 

[driger]

and how long was sprewell suspended for attacking the coach?

 

[sauternes]

i wonder if they ban real criminals. kill and rape and u can come in, play on our tour and have a doping allegation and u cant.

I see your point, but a convicted felon who enters the ground will have served their time/punishment/penance for their crime. Canas will serve his 2 year ban, and he'll be free to join the ATP tour. Until then, he'll have to abide by their ruling.

 

[splink779]

This seems unfair, far too extreme. In Baseball the drug users are playing within 15 days of course, and are probably in camp with their teammates every day during their "suspension".

Thats because baseball players make companies tons more money than tennis players do. Welcome to america.

 

[rfprse]

That's why it's called banned! He should have bought a ticket for the nosebleeds and he would have got in.

What bothers many people is he can't even do that. I heard Moya and others got mad at the situation. Btw, he's banned from ATP, would anyone explain why he can't attend WTA event just cheering for his girlfriend?
The tennis players need an organiztion which will stand up for them other than ATP, considering the doubles "enhancement" project and the incident like this.

 

[Kevin Patrick]

More on this from la times:

NEW YORK — Maria Emilia Salerni did not think it was fair that her boyfriend, banned Argentine tennis star Guillermo Canas, has been prevented from being on the grounds at the National Tennis Center at the U.S. Open.

Though Canas, serving a two-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, is appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), he was denied accreditation or the ability to buy a ticket. "It is part of the anti-doping program that he is not allowed on site for an ATP or Grand Slam event," said an ATP spokesperson on Wednesday.

Salerni, 22, spoke to reporters after losing, 6-1, 6-0, in the second round to Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. "It is sad because he's 20 minutes away, waiting for me at the hotel, following my match by the Internet," she said.

Canas tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) at a tournament in Acapulco in February. The penalty was announced in August, and he became the fourth Argentine to receive a ban for a positive drug test since 2001.

A Spanish reporter said that players Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal pleaded Canas' case for accreditation. Salerni said that Canas was not practicing much but focusing on physical training after being "very sad" about the suspension.

"He's like a gladiator," she said. "He's fighting [this] for sure."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/tenni...6818366.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-tennis

 

[Dilettante]

he was denied accreditation or the ability to buy a ticket

I didn't disagree with Cañas 2 years sanction.

But now, this (the stadium ban) seems stupid to me. A complete nonsense. Ban him even as a spectator. You can ban him as a player and that's ok. But, as a spectator? While his girlfriend is playing?

Sad and stupid measure.

 

[RiosTheGenius]

that's just ugly. no comment

 

[bcslice]

I say good for the US Open for making the right decision. It's inappropriate for a known offender of an illegal substance to be around the other players. It's an unfortunate (for Canas) coincidence that he has a girlfriend who plays professional tennis, but the decision to ban him is a good one.

In the United States especially, we make too many concessions for criminals and I think it's about time that when someone has been confirmed doing something unfair, that they pay the price. For Canas, now this means a personal price as well. Too bad. He should have thought about all of the potential ramifications of using the illegal substances before trying to give himself an unfair advantage. Shame on those of you who sympathize with him. He doesn't deserve your pity. He's a confirmed cheater!

 

[Kevin Patrick]

I suspect the reason the Open is doing this is that they don't want canas giving any interviews at such a huge event. They don't want him making news citing his innocence with a big audience listening.

 

[Camilio Pascual]

I say good for the US Open for making the right decision. It's inappropriate for a known offender of an illegal substance to be around the other players. It's an unfortunate (for Canas) coincidence that he has a girlfriend who plays professional tennis, but the decision to ban him is a good one.
In the United States especially, we make too many concessions for criminals and I think it's about time that when someone has been confirmed doing something unfair, that they pay the price...He should have thought about all of the potential ramifications of using the illegal substances before trying to give himself an unfair advantage.
Shame on those of you who sympathize with him. He doesn't deserve your pity.
He's a confirmed cheater!

Very nicely said, Bcslice.
We can't have known dopers hanging around tennis events, people!!!

 

[littlelleyton]

i feel that since he is banned from the ATP that he should not be allowed into official areas etc but surely he should not be banned from any public places? that i feel is a bit harsh, he is not a criminal and he is still a human being. the interview thing doesnt cut it with me. this has caused alot more of a stir had he gone and watched his g-friend play.

 

[gts072]

Good message for present and future dopers. Take drugs and be banned from everything relating to tennis. Should have thought twice Canas.

 

[equinox]

He tested positive to masking agent.
He tested negative to preformance enhancing drugs.

Next year other players could be testing positive because they drank one to many starbucks coffees or redbull drinks.

I hope canas wins in CAS. His penalty was way too harsh. I agree he should be punished for his / doctors / prescription fillers carelessness, maybe 3 months.

2 years is excessive.

 

[Kevin Patrick]

This will never end, huh?
Diuretics/masking agents aren't present in any cold medications. his excuse is like the dog ate my homework.