[Johnny Groove]

We all know that EDV has a fetish for banning lower ranked players for doping or gambling to "make" a point to everyone else that they could be next

But what if Federer and Nadal were caught with positive drug tests and Djokovic was found to be a betfair junkie? Would EDV try to sweep it under the rug to try to protect his top 3 money makers? What if he didnt and he had to suspend all 3 of them? What would the tour become?

 

[rofe]

"Suppression" is the word you are looking for.

 

[Action Jackson]

Nothing would happen.

Facts are the top cash cows are always protected, and there are many ways to do it. Well the ATP don't want to lose their biggest money making assets and they'd make sure that it was handled behind closed doors and an agreement reached, but Disney wouldn't ban them.

Nadal and juice well that rumour is not exactly old ( no, this does not mean I think he is on the gear). If so he won't fail a test.

 

[*Ljubica*]

Nothing would happen - it would be suppressed and covered up. The ATP have already proved that they're good at punishing the "little men" or the ones from poorer econimic countries like Karol Beck and Guillermo Canas, to seemingly set an example and show their fairness and integrity. But if one of the big names were found guilty it would be conveniently hidden.

 

[stebs]

I know this is all just opinions but I think it is BS that it would be covered up. That's just not the way things are, if Federer was caught on drugs he WOULD be banned and the same goes for all other players. Obviously the punishments given to players would be different catering for their marketability but no, they wouldn't get off scott free just because they draw crowds. I realise that for a lot of cynical MTFers it is fun to think like that but I don't really believe it.

 

[Action Jackson]

You're dreaming Stebs, that's good because dreams are free.

Marion Jones is an example, of a huge mega sporting star, they knew she was on drugs, but nothing came of it, until a sample was sent to Balco from her former coach and even then how long did it take for anything to happen.

 

[Black Adam]

Nothing will happen as long as it involves a top and important player. Apparently Agassi tested positive way back, but because he was a top and important player to the ATP's image and money making schemes so it was just swept under the rug. Imagine what kind of loss that would have been financially for the ATP. Tennis wouldn't have the same credibility today after such a shocker.

Remember that top players are the main money assets and them being involved in some shady things like Dope or Gambling can impact the ATP financially but also the sport will lose its credibility. For example after all the previous scandals (Marion Jones, Ben Johnson,Justin Gatlin, Floyd Landis, Alexander Vinokourov etc.), how can you possibly watch 100m races or Cycling without having many doubts that the athletes are juiced up?? All the credibility is lost and will be hardly regained. That's why a top player like Davydenko (if he really is guilty of Bet-faring)will probably be given a private fine but be publicly declared innocent.

 

[Action Jackson]

Black Adam has pretty much nailed it. It's pro sport and they are going to want to protect their money making investments.

Hence when it's small fry, they can get fined and suspended and gives the sport a good image, that they are out to get these cheats and the like, but the reality is different.

 

[norwood_10]

Agassi, Hewitt, Nadal, all been rumoured to have been on the juice but no one will ever know the true story.

Marion Jones was definitely covered up though. Even when her husband Tim had been found to be up to no good, no one suggested Jones was taking them, when she was.

 

[leng jai]

I know this is all just opinions but I think it is BS that it would be covered up. That's just not the way things are, if Federer was caught on drugs he WOULD be banned and the same goes for all other players. Obviously the punishments given to players would be different catering for their marketability but no, they wouldn't get off scott free just because they draw crowds. I realise that for a lot of cynical MTFers it is fun to think like that but I don't really believe it.

Don't be delusional.

 

[Nathaliia]

Nothing would happen. Agassi and the juice gossip was pretty loud and some big names even talked about it. Then he was mainly playing MM events in USA, and also withdrew from *Stockholm* in the last moment (for obvious reasons.)

I mean, of course it remains a gossip as we didn't have anyone caught, but it was a stinky one.

 

[prima donna]

I know this is all just opinions but I think it is BS that it would be covered up. That's just not the way things are, if Federer was caught on drugs he WOULD be banned and the same goes for all other players. Obviously the punishments given to players would be different catering for their marketability but no, they wouldn't get off scott free just because they draw crowds. I realise that for a lot of cynical MTFers it is fun to think like that but I don't really believe it.

Hahahaha.

 

[stebs]

Funny looking at the cynics laugh at me as if I were dreaming of a world in which these kind of things don't go on but don't put me down for that. Accept that my opinion on this subject differs from yours and that doesn't make it wrong. I actually think it is more delusional to imagine that it is just that easy to sweep something under the rug, perhaps you have been watching too much TV. That's not the way things work in sports and yes coups can happen but it's not as simple as one thing WOULD happen and one thing WOULDN'T it is far more delusional to think that than to think that it is clear cut. That's why I think it's stupid to laugh at my opinion because the truth is all avenues are open and you are truly foolish if you don't believe that.

 

[LisaKoh]

The ATP would probably impose a short, private sanction on the top player for about three or more months. They'd probably say that it was an injury-related break to save face but it would most likely be a private suspension. Look for guys that were conveniently injured after ATP board meetings or WADA tribunals and there are your suspects.

 

[Black Adam]

Anyways, there is a freedom of speech so Stebs there is nothing wrong with your opinion. Even though to me it sounds like you are trying to convince us and yourself that Ugly things and corruption don't exist. There is always something shady happening behind the scenes. Take a look at the Betting issue and how it's being handled. Davydenko is yet to be tried yet the irrelevant fish like Starace and Bracciali have already fried.

 

[FilipeMB]

For sure nothing would happen if it was a Federer or a Nadal. They are needed for sports image and it would ruin ATP marketing plans a drug or betting-related event with them.

 

[stebs]

Anyways, there is a freedom of speech so Stebs there is nothing wrong with your opinion. Even though to me it sounds like you are trying to convince us and yourself that Ugly things and corruption don't exist. There is always something shady happening behind the scenes. Take a look at the Betting issue and how it's being handled. Davydenko is yet to be tried yet the irrelevant fish like Starace and Bracciali have already fried.

I know that stance all too well but believe me I am not the type of person who tries to pretend corruption doesn't exist. However, there is another end of the spectrum who sees corruption wherever they go and there are certainly instances where a big name player could be bought to their knees and that doesn't mean I don't believe in corruption.

It is the 'cool' stance to take that obviously the big name player would be fine and yes I can see why that is possible but I am not going to agree just because that's what the 'in' viewpoint is.

Also, not that I'm an expert on the subject but it's far from as simple as EDV or some other big name just sweeping it under the carpet. That's not the way that aspect of spot works and those involved in the money aspect of the sport don't just decide whether or not to act on their findings. I find it funny how slated I get for saying this and called delusional when it is a far more closed and naive position to imagine it could easily be swept under the carpet.

 

[Johnny Groove]

I gotta give props to stebs as he defends his viewpoint despite it being the unpopular one.

Should something like this happen, i want to know just how it can be swept under the rug. For instance, every year at RG, the French media constantly try to say Nadal was doping this or juicing that (which is actually just a further manifestation of them hating non-Frenchies winning thier tournaments, Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France is another example, but that is besides the point) and nothing turns up of it.

If he actually DID test positive at RG, wouldnt you think they would try all they could to get the word out and get him suspended? Perhaps if the positive test came up in Barcelona or Madrid, it might be different, but some locations of where the test appeared positive would be a factor in whether or not said player will get suspended.

 

[FedFan_2007]

So Nadal juiced his way to 2 straight Wimby finals?

 

[prima donna]

So Nadal juiced his way to 2 straight Wimby finals?

So it seems.