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'It's probably killing the sport'

Rafter outraged at handling of Korda drug controversy

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Posted: Monday January 18, 1999 04:59 PM

Rafter wants a "bloody good explanation" for Korda's positive drug test AP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- The meeting was called to talk about the Petr Korda drug controversy. But when no one talked about it, Patrick Rafter walked out.

The U.S. Open champion left a players meeting Sunday night after many of his peers avoided discussing Korda's situation in which he escaped a ban after testing positive to the steroid nandrolone.

"My opinion on that [Korda case] is I think it's probably killing the sport," Rafter said on Monday. "If someone gets tested in any other sport and they get found positive, they are out straight away.

Korda has cited special circumstances but not elaborated, triggering a player backlash and demands the Czech explain himself or be suspended.

"That's not the case in tennis and I think that should be the case, unless Petr has got a bloody good explanation, and we didn't hear it."

The decision of the International Tennis Federation's independent appeals committee is being appealed to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Rafter said he supported American Jim Courier's stand at the meeting. Courier has been one of the most outspoken critics on the issue.

"I walked out early," said Rafter. "They were avoiding it all the time, so I just didn't want to stick around for it any longer."

Rafter, a back-to-back U.S. Open winner, said he wanted to hide after losing in the first round of the Adidas International in Sydney and in the second round of the AAPT championships in Adelaide.

But he bounced back to defeat Germany's Oliver Gross 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Australian Open.

"It's just good to be on the scoreboard," Rafter said. "Just winning the match is a great feeling -- getting back in the locker room having a smile on your face for a change."

 

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