(UPDATED) SIGHTING: Dashing Reeshard arrives in Lausanne for CAS hearing

Richard Gasquet arrived in Lausanne, Switzerland to face the Court of Arbitration Sport (CAS) for the testing positive for cocaine earlier this year.

An independent tribunal brought in by the ITF cleared the Frenchie in July - 2 1/2 months into his ban - and he was allowed to return to the ATP World Tour after claiming the substance entered his system through a tainted kiss. However, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have asked the CAS to ban Reeshard for one to two years.


I'm sure Reeshard is feeling a bit uneasy, and understandably so, after the recent 1-year bans received by Yanina Wickmayer + Xavier Malisse and the revelation by Andre Agassi that he lied about a positive drug test in 1997 and escaped a suspension.

On a positive note (no pun intended, swear) he's looking great for his court appearance. The second photo could be an ad for something though probably not this one for obvs reasons.

UPDATE: The ruling is expected to come in December.

(Photos: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

(UPDATED) THE LOW DOWN: Wicky + The X-Man slapped with one-year suspensions - is "Agassi Effect" in play?

Compatriots Yanina Wickmayer + Xavier Malisse were both handed shocking one-year bans today by the Flemish Doping Tribunal after both Belgian ballers violated doping regulations.

The U.S. Open semifinalist, who is currently in Bali competing in the Tournament of Champions, is reportedly being accused of failing to fulfill the ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System) three times. Under this WADA policy ballers must notify their national anti-doping officials about their whereabouts for one hour every day over a 3-month period. The X-Man was accused of missing required drug tests and was therefore handed the ban.

Both ballers can appeal the ruling.

I'm curious to hear their explanations, particularly Wicky's reasons for failing to report her whereabouts three times. It's a tough measure but a one-year suspension seems pretty harsh. As for The X-Man, it seems he missed actual tests which is a whole, different story. His ban isn't so surprising in this case. It looks like they're viewing both offenses as being equal, however. Interesting.

On another note, I wonder if Andre Agassi's recent revelation that he lied to the ATP about a positive drug test and escaped punishment in 1997 is playing out here in any way. Are they possibly setting an example with the two Belgians?

UPDATE: Wicky has voluntarily withdrawn from Bali and is planning an appeal.

(Photos: Getty)

Reeshard kissed a girl and he liked it (no, really)

Richard Gasquet can return to the ATP Tour following the ITF's decision on his anti-doping case.

The Frenchie could have faced a possible two-year ban from professional tennis after he was found with cocaine in his system in Miami. But during his tribunal the former prodigy claimed he received the banned substance through a contaminated drink or kiss from a woman named "Pamela" during visits to a couple of Miami clubs (the last one being a strip club - no surprise there.) He was in town, of course, to participate in the Sony Ericsson Open but withdrew before his scheduled match due to his recurring shoulder injury.

The Tribunal decided that if he knowingly used cocaine the amount found in his system would've been of a greater amount.

He was sentenced to two months and 15 days to begin on May 1, 2009 and ending today, July 15, 2009.

You can read the lengthy decision over at the ITF website.

Uh, I'm really happy Reeshard will be returning to the Tour. Maybe this is the kick in the ass he needs to get himself together finally. But does anyone REALLY believe he was kissing a girl? I'll take the dirty drink plea over that one any day.

Ya fooled 'em, Reeshard. Ya fooled 'em good.

(image via getty)

BREAKING: Reeshard tests positive for prohibited substance in Miami

Richard Gasquet has apparently test positive for a substance classified as a recreational drug in Miami. The news was confirmed by an official in the French Tennis Federation.

Via RMC.fr (Googley translated, of course):

The french tennis player was tested positive for a prohibited substance during a check carried out on the 1000 Miami Masters in late March.

Richard Gasquet, 23, tested positive at the 1000 Miami Masters in late March. The news has been confirmed by an official of the French Tennis Federation, and a source close to the Team Lagardère, whose structure depends on the player. Medical source, the sample A of the French showed signs of a substance prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Code, such as recreational (cocaine, cannabis, etc.). The audit was conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The Biterrois, 23rd global player, had to enter the tournament in the 2nd round against Spaniard Albert Montanes before forfeit a few hours before the game because of pain in the right shoulder. " Absent this week's Estoril tournament, the player of Team Lagardère withdrew today from the Madrid Masters in 1000, which was used as a launching pad for the tournament at Roland Garros.

Gasquet could encounter "only" 3 months of suspension. His presence at Porte d'Auteuil would be strongly compromised. Tennis has seen other cases of doping with cocaine: Mats Wilander (3 months) and Karel Novacek in 1995 (3 months), Martina Hingis in 2007 (2 years). FFF has not officially reacted to the news, nor is the Team Lagardère. Earlier in the afternoon, Francis Gasquet, the player's father, told RMC that his son had "fallen from the nude" in learning what was still a rumor.

Apparently, it was cocaine - potential for two year ban based on amount found in his sample. Savannah's World has the scoop.

I'm feeling so sad for Reeshard right now. Clearly he's struggling with something. Hopefully better days are ahead for the Frenchie baller.

(via savannah's world, image via getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Venus Williams speaks out on Hingis ban, would give her "the benefit of the doubt"

Venus speaks out: After battling the cold Hong Kong weather and reaching the final of the JB Group Classic, Venus Williams was asked in the post-match press conference to comment on doping in tennis and the 2-year ban given to Martina Hingis today. The Wimbledon champion told reporters,

"There are very few (cases), [...] In tennis it doesn't matter what you might take, it doesn't keep the ball in, it doesn't calm your nerves. It doesn't do any of that, [...] I can see in track and field and other sports, but tennis is definitely a lot of mental and skill. There is no magic pill for that."

When asked if she believed Martina had taken drugs V said she would give the Swiss Miss "the benefit of the doubt."

Regardless of whether she truly took cocaine or not, Martina's Hall of Fame record and reputation are permanently tainted now.

(image via AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

THE LOW DOWN: Martina Hingis officially banned from tennis for two years for doping

2 and out: Martina Hingis, who retired from tennis for a second time last season amidst accusations of doping and drug use, has been officially banned from the sport for 2 years. Though the Swiss Miss vehemently denied the allegations, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is reporting an independent anti-doping tribunal has "rejected any suggestions there were doubts about her [urine] sample." Traces of cocaine were found in the 5-time Grand Slam champion's urine sample following a loss to Laura Granville at last year's Wimbledon.

Larry Scott, CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has released the following statement regarding Martina's ban:

"As a signatory to the WADA Code and a founding member of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is committed to ensuring the integrity and competitive fairness of women’s professional tennis, and ensuring the heath and well-being of our athletes."

"The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to doping in sport, and fully supports the Tennis Anti-Doping Program, which is globally recognized as a world-class program in protecting the integrity of professional tennis. We support and will enforce the ruling of this independent tribunal under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program."

"All of this said, we are saddened by this news as Martina has meant so much to fans the world over and made many positive contributions to the sport."

(image via sportinglife.com)

Martina Hingis speaks out about doping claims, "I have tested positive, but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100% innocent," says Martina

Here is some of what Martina Hingis had to say about today's claims:

"I have tested positive, but I have never taken drugs and I feel 100% innocent," [...] "The reason I have come out with this is because I do not want to have a fight with anti-doping authorities." [...] "When I was informed I had failed my 'A' test following my defeat at Wimbledon I was shocked and appalled. I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous that I've decided to confront it head on." [...] "I have no desire to spend the next seven years fighting doping officials. I'm frustrated and angry, and accusations such as these don't provide me with the motivation to continue." [...] Because of my age and my health problems, I have also decided to retire from professional tennis."

WTA Tour chief executive Larry Scott had this to say about today's news:

"We have not received any official information regarding the positive doping test result referred to by Martina Hingis, and as a result we are not in a position to comment on the matter." [...] "However, it is important to remember that in the area of anti-doping, all players are presumed innocent until proven otherwise."

To read Larry Scott's full statement, click here.

What we're wondering is why she decided to announce her official retirement today while announcing these doping claims? We don't think this makes much sense for the 5-time Grand Slam champion and looks very suspicious from a PR standpoint.