Out of Bounds
Erik Talbot
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Sports
In career singles titles, Agassi also has an advantage over Safin. He has over four times as many tournament wins (68) as Safin, who has only 15. Not to mention Agassi also won an Olympic gold medal in men's singles at the 1996 summer games in Atlanta, Ga. Both have been ranked the No. 1 player in the world on several occasions, although Safin held the honor for only nine weeks during his career while Agassi has held the honor for 101 weeks.
But the most likely reason why Safin made these comments is due to Safin's numerous losses against his opponent throughout his career. First, in 1999, Agassi beat Safin during the Paris Masters. That would have been the first Masters Series victory for Safin; it was also his first career loss in a tournament final.
Another big win for Agassi over Safin was the 2000 Tennis Masters Cup semifinals in Lisbon. Agassi's victory over the top-seeded Safin eliminated any chance Safin had to become the youngest player to ever earn the title of World's No. 1 men's tennis player.
Safin's remarks about Agassi make Agassi look more like a cheater, somebody whose titles and victories came as a result of using performance-enhancing drugs. But Agassi is not like Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez or Shawne Merriman.
Although Agassi took the banned substance during a low point in his career, he did not seek anabolic steroids or human growth hormone to enhance his technique. There is no evidence - anecdotal or scientific - that says crystal meth gives its user any type of athletic advantage.
Agassi may have made a mistake by lying about his failed test, but he should not have to give back any titles or money he earned.
But the most likely reason why Safin made these comments is due to Safin's numerous losses against his opponent throughout his career. First, in 1999, Agassi beat Safin during the Paris Masters. That would have been the first Masters Series victory for Safin; it was also his first career loss in a tournament final.
Another big win for Agassi over Safin was the 2000 Tennis Masters Cup semifinals in Lisbon. Agassi's victory over the top-seeded Safin eliminated any chance Safin had to become the youngest player to ever earn the title of World's No. 1 men's tennis player.
Safin's remarks about Agassi make Agassi look more like a cheater, somebody whose titles and victories came as a result of using performance-enhancing drugs. But Agassi is not like Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez or Shawne Merriman.
Although Agassi took the banned substance during a low point in his career, he did not seek anabolic steroids or human growth hormone to enhance his technique. There is no evidence - anecdotal or scientific - that says crystal meth gives its user any type of athletic advantage.
Agassi may have made a mistake by lying about his failed test, but he should not have to give back any titles or money he earned.
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Hello?
posted 11/20/09 @ 1:10 PM EST
Clearly you do not know the Russian. He isn't always right, but the rules of the ATP do not apply selectively.
Martina Hingis was banned for two years for cocaine. (Continued…)
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