Argentine former tennis player Mariano Puerta admitted on Monday he lied to get a reduced sentence when he was caught doping following the 2005 French Open final he lost to Rafael Nadal.<\/p>\n
The explanation we used as a strategy was a lie. But I didnt gain any sporting advantage, I dont want to be seen as a cheat any more, Puerta told the La Nacion newspaper.<\/p>\n
Spanish great Nadal bounced back from losing the first set on a tie-break to win his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros where he has been crowned champion a record 12 times.<\/p>\n
Following the final, Puerta, now 41, tested positive for the stimulant etilefrine.<\/p>\n
Given hed already served a nine-month doping ban in 2003 after testing positive for another stimulant, clenbuterol, he was initially handed an eight-year ban.<\/p>\n
However, upon arguing that he had accidentally ingested the etilefrine when he took a sip from his wifes glass of water in which she had put medication for menstrual pains, his ban was reduced to two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.<\/p>\n
However, Puerta told La Nacion that at the time he was taking a nutritional supplement that contained caffeine and ginseng that he acquired from a friend of his personal trainer Dario Lecman, and which was contaminated with traces of etilefrine.<\/p>\n
We couldnt do anything because the pills were bought, I dont know how to put this not in a legal way, said Puerta.<\/p>\n
My lawyers didnt think it was a good idea to say what happened.<\/p>\n
However, questioned by La Nacion, Lecman said: Ive got nothing to do with this. I didnt give him anything. Its a lie.<\/p>\n
Puertas former coach Andres Schneiter, also cast doubt on the new version of events.<\/p>\n
I asked him what had happened and he told me he didnt know. I thought he was lying. I sensed that reply wasnt sincere, I think he took something without knowing and it was negligence, said Schneiter.<\/p>\n
Puerta was ranked number nine in the world at the time but never managed to reach that level again after his comeback in 2007 and he retired two years later.<\/p>\n
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Former tennis player admits lying to get reduced ban - Macau Business<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Argentine former tennis player Mariano Puerta admitted on Monday he lied to get a reduced sentence when he was caught doping following the 2005 French Open final he lost to Rafael Nadal. The explanation we used as a strategy was a lie. Continue reading