'Pretty disgraceful'
McEnroe rips Korda's claims, ITF officials' leniency
Posted: Wednesday January 20, 1999 03:44 PM
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McEnroe called Korda's claim that he had no idea how the banned steroid nandrolone got into his system, "pretty disgraceful and highly dubious" Stephen Munday/Allsport |
NEW YORK (Reuters)-- Former world No. 1 John McEnroe ripped tennis officials Tuesday for allowing Petr Korda to defend his Australian Open title after the Czech tested positive for steroids at Wimbledon last year.
McEnroe, at a news conference to announce his election to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, said officials were sending fans the wrong message by not imposing a one-year suspension on Korda for using banned substances.
"I don't think that is the type of example that we need to start," McEnroe said.
"If anything, I think people should put their foot down. Frankly they have to crack down," insisted the three-time Wimbledon champion.
Korda began his Australian Open title defense under a doping cloud Tuesday after the ITF Independent Appeals Committee, satisfied there were exceptional circumstances in Korda's case, decided to take away the prize money and rankings points he earned at Wimbledon instead of suspending him.
McEnroe called Korda's claim that he had no idea how the banned steroid nandrolone got into his system, "pretty disgraceful and highly dubious."
Although, the outspoken former No. 1 added, "it is shocking that somebody as skinny as him could possibly have done steroids."
"It is hard to believe," McEnroe said of the wiry Czech, who hardly fits the standard physical profile of a steroid user.
McEnroe predicted that Korda, who was snubbed by his first-round victim in Melbourne and has been criticized by several fellow players, would soon wilt under the intense scrutiny the doping case has brought down on the 30-year-old Czech.
"If he is not beaten, he is going to be driven to tears shortly I have a feeling," McEnroe said.
While he was busy ripping Korda and overly lenient tennis officials, McEnroe took time to unload on his compatriots who have lately turned their backs on Davis Cup.
A member of five U.S. Cup-winning teams, McEnroe said there was no excuse for the likes of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang failing to support the U.S. Davis Cup team.
"It is important for the players to recognize the Davis Cup and that it is bigger than their individual achievements," he said.
"What more could you ask than to represent your country."
The 39-year-old great, who does his playing on the senior tour these days, made himself available for doubles duty for the upcoming U.S. first-round tie against England, although he did not expect to be called to play.
"I can bring some energy to this and I'm hitting the ball better than I have in six or eight years," said McEnroe, who won eight times on the Nuveen Tour last year.
"As far as it happening, it is not looking particularly good right now, but I have learned never to say die."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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