Sunday January 11, 01:14 PM
Rusedski heartened by players' support after positive drug test
SYDNEY (AFP) - British number two Greg Rusedski said he had been heartened by the support he had received since news became public that he had tested positive to a banned steroid.
Rusedski will face an independent tribunal in Montreal on February 9 after admitting last week that he had tested positive for the nandrolone at a tournament in Indianapolis last July.
Rusedski has protested his innocence and in his defence has pointed to the case of Czech player Bohdan Ulihrach.
Ulihrach also tested positive for nandrolone in October 2002 and was initially found guilty and banned for two years, but he was reinstated when it emerged that ATP trainers had been giving players mineral supplements, electrolytes and other supplements.
While refusing to answer direct questions, Rusedski read out a brief statement to reporters after practising ahead of the Sydney International tournament, saying he was heartened by the support he had received from other players.
"I've had nothing but support from people - even in the locker room," he said.
"I've been particularly pleased by the players' reactions. They've been very positive and sympathetic towards me.
"I want to concentrate on my tennis right now. I've got a match coming up and I want to get ready for Sydney this week and I've got the Australian Open as well.
"I would just like to say I'm looking forward to playing my match against Juan Ignacio Chela - it's obviously going to be a difficult first round match but one I'm going to try and do my best in."
Chela was suspended for three months in 2001 after testing positive to a steroid.
Australian Lleyton Hewitt has backed Rusedski's decision to continue playing tennis in the lead-up to his drug hearing.
Rusedski remains committed to playing in this week's Sydney International and the Australian Open starting next week.
Hewitt told a pre-tournament press conference here on Sunday he supported Rusedski's right to keep playing tour events until his case was heard and said he would have no problem dealing with him in person.
"You can't find a guy guilty till he's actually proven guilty," Hewitt said.
"At the moment it's fine. He's playing here and in Melbourne.
"I'd say hello to him. I'm not that close to Greg but I wouldn't ignore him or anything - that's for sure."
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