Tennis: Gasquet Tests Positive for Cocaine, Could Face Two-Year Ban

Frenchie baller Richard Gasquet has been suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after testing positive for cocaine during the Miami Masters 1000 tourney back in March.

The former prodigy, who has been followed by persistent rumors over the years about being gay, was tested after pulling out of the tourney with a shoulder injury. Both "A" and "B" samples came back positive though Gasquet claims a test performed on a hair sample came back negative.

An anti-doping tribunal will reportedly be assembled within 60 days to hear the case. If found guilty, the 22-year old could be banned for two years under the WADA anti-doping rules.

The last baller to be suspended after testing positive for a banned substance was Martina Hingis who was found to have cocaine in her system during Wimbledon in 2007 and consequently retired.

Ah, another sad story of a prodigy whose career looks to be derailed by personal issues. I keep getting flashes of Jennifer Capriati and her struggles with pressure and run-ins with the law. Of course, she made a triumphant return capturing 3 majors and grabbing the keys to the WTA Penthouse along the way.

Can Reeshard do the same? Stay tuned.

Source: Down the Line!

(Photo: Getty Images)

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Rich Rodriguez is a self-described “tennis addict” who not only plays regularly around his home base of Brooklyn, NY but also writes the blog Down the Line!

Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.