Last Updated: Sunday, 11 January, 2004, 10:45 GMT
ATP gives Rusedski hope
Greg Rusedski may escape a drugs ban if he can prove he took a supplement given by an ATP trainer before May 2003.
The ATP last year traced a rash of samples showing elevated levels of nandrolone back to a rehydration drink supplied by its own trainers.
It subsequently issued a statement advising that trainers would no longer be giving out the supplements.
"We would have to determine whether Rusedski's case occurred before that time," an ATP spokesman told BBC Radio.
"That would be something for our legal department to determine," the ATP's David Higdon added to Five Live's Sportsweek programme.
Rusedski's lawyers have already issued a robust statement blaming the ATP for his positive drugs test.
The statement cites the case of Bohdan Ulihrach, who won his appeal against a two-year ban last year after the ATP was forced to admit its trainers may have been responsible.
Rusedski claims his test bears the same analytical fingerprint as Ulihrach's and a further 45 samples which showed higher than normal levels of nandrolone.
However, Rusedski's positive test came in July 2003, two months after the ATP said it had stopped its trainers providing supplements.
"We stopped the process of giving out supplements through our trainers in May 2003," said Higden.
"We feel our drugs testing programme is stellar and comprehensive and internationally recognised as one of the top testing programmes."
A further complication to Rusedski's case is that the World Anti-Doping Agency has called into question the ATP's investigation last year.
Tennis drugs tests questioned
A Wada spokesman said he was "concerned and disturbed" by the situation and the organisation is currently carrying out its own inquiry into how so many samples showed elevated levels of nandrolone.
Wada believe the ATP's explanation may not be conclusive.
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