Rusedski drug scandal to cause 'huge damage'

Greg Rusedski's confirmation that he has tested positive for the drug nandrolone was last night described as "hugely damaging to the sport and British tennis in particular".

The Lawn Tennis Association's national manager, Mark Petchey, found it hard to believe that Rusedski, Britain's No 2, whom he described as a "model professional", would take performance-enhancing drugs. But he added: "It's hugely damaging to tennis and British tennis in particular. From an LTA point of view we were as shocked as anybody else."

Petchey said: "Knowing Greg for a long time he'd be the last guy that I would say would take drugs. If it's true, it's going to be such a dark cloud over his head. I just hope that the allegations aren't proved to be true. He's just such a model professional. He's not a guy you'd see on the party scene. He just would not have gone anywhere near this."

Rusedski, who is in Australia preparing for the Australian Open, confirmed that he has tested positive "for a low concentration of nandrolone metabolites" but insisted he is not a drugs cheat. He is to attend a hearing in Montreal on 9 February where "I fully expect to be found innocent."

He can continue playing pending the hearing, but it is unlikely he will want to perform in public while in disgrace and is not now expected to play in the opening Grand Slam tournament of the season ­ the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on 19 January.

Pat Cash, the Australian former Wimbledon champion, coached Rusedski for a few months in 2001 before an acrimonious split over money. He warned that life would not be easy for the 30-year-old regardless of the outcome of the case.

"He is a professional athlete, he should know better," he said. "We will have to wait and see what the circumstances are. Perhaps he has taken it accidentally. I am surprised, but he is the sort of guy who would stop at nothing to better his career. He is very, very dedicated and when you have a run of injuries it's very, very tempting to take something to help you along. For me it seems a bit ridiculous he would do that, he's shot himself in the foot. But unless there are extreme circumstances I think he will find himself out of tennis for a year. Even if he does get cleared he is going to have a hard time in the locker room."

Rusedski, who had a miserable 2003, was beaten in the second round of the Australian men's Hardcourt Championship in Adelaide yesterday by the unseeded Frenchman Cyril Saulnier, 6-2, 6-2.

It is thought Rusedski tested positive for the drug at the Indianapolis event in July last year and the one-time British women's No 1 Annabel Croft questioned the delay. She said: "It does seem extraordinary that Greg took this test as far back as July and it's only now that we're hearing the results."

David Higdon, a spokesman for the Association of Tennis Professionals, said: "We will not comment on any individual case until the process is completed, regardless of any statement made by a player concerned. As far as we are concerned, we have one of the most comprehensive and efficient processes for testing that a sporting body can have."

If a player fails an A test he is requested to explain to the ATP why he thinks it may have happened. He will then have the B half of his sample analysed. If this is also positive ­ as is usually the case ­ the player is informed and has the right to appeal.

David Felgate, the LTA's performance director, was "staggered" by the development. He said: "I'm as surprised as anybody else. I am surprised he has gone public before the hearing. He prides himself on how he works out and tries to keep himself in shape and as far as I'm concerned is a thorough professional. I hope for his sake he has a good case."

Andrew Castle, the former British No 1, said: "Of all the people to have been found guilty of taking performance-enhancing drug, Greg would have been bottom of my list. It really sucks the breath out of your lungs when you know somebody and a positive test like this comes out.

"My initial reaction is that I do not believe it is true. The integrity of the sport is bigger and more important than anyone playing it and if someone undermines the integrity of a sport then I find that offensive."

Castle, a television presenter, added: "The creation of nandrolone is possible without taking it knowingly and I don't think that's something that's fully understood. Can it naturally occur and still give a positive test?"

The British Davis Cup player Barry Cowan is in no doubt that if Rusedski is found to have taken illegal drugs, then he should be banned. Cowan, who took the seven-times Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras to five sets at Wimbledon in 2001 but has since retired, said: "He will appeal and it will be a long-drawn out process ­ and hopefully it will be resolved in the right way. If he's proved innocent then fantastic; if he's proved guilty then he has to be banned."