Agassi voices players' drug fears
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MELBOURNE, Australia -- The world's leading tennis players have been living in fear since Greg Rusedski failed a drugs test, according to Andre Agassi.
Rusedski, who denies wrongdoing, claims traces of the drug could have been found in nutritional supplements or electolytes commonly used by players.
Agassi said that had left many players too nervous to drink anything but water.
"All it takes is a trace," said Agassi.
"That scares everybody. The reality of a professional tennis player's life is that you can't take anything, including lotion for a skin irritation.
Drinking water
We have a real concern that only leaves us drinking water or certain bottled products and yet we wake up to the integrity of our sport being questioned and that's the shame of it."
Rusedski's defense is based on the fact that seven other players tested for nandrolone but were cleared because of the possibility that the steroid may have been contained in electolytes given to players by ATP trainers.
However, that had stopped by the time of Rusedski's positive test in July.
"Taking electrolytes and vitamins, these are a natural part of everybody's life but there is the concern about cross contamination," said Agassi.
"Basic aspirin, cold medicines, none of it's allowed, none of it's taken. I don't know what the answer is. The answer we're getting at this point is drink more water."
World number one Andy Roddick admitted he had been extra careful since the Rusedski case became public.
"When you hear about the stuff that can possibly get you into trouble, it's a little scary," said Roddick.
"It is probably stuff you use on a daily basis. But you have to be aware and I think that is the most important thing."
