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(but weren't eligible since Roddick wasn't in drug testing pool long enough)
Andy Roddick can't play the U.S. Open because of a drug test he didn't fail
Andy Roddick’s bid to come out retirement and play doubles at the U.S. Open was thwarted because Roddick wasn’t in the sport’s drug testing pool for the required three months prior to the tournament.
The former American tennis star said he and his friend Mardy Fish, a one-time world No. 7, were hoping to fulfill a dream they’d had since they were 15 years old. But, as Roddick explained in a FOX Sports Live podcast with Ben Reiter, their plan was halted on a technicality.
Fish, 32, has only played six tournaments in the past two years and none since last August. He’s been sidelined with a heart ailment that eventually led to other health issues. Roddick said Fish was only associating tennis was negative things. To break that cycle, Roddick suggested they play doubles, something they could never coordinate in the past because of their singles routine. It would be cathartic for Fish, Roddick thought. Fish eventually agreed and last week Roddick began inquiring about the specifics — getting a wild card to the Open and placing himself back into the drug testing pool.
“I’m pumped,†Roddick remembered. “We’re gonna have a blast, it’ll be a one-time thing.â€
The excitement didn’t last long. Roddick was informed he was ineligible for a wild card, because players who come out of retirement have to be in the drug testing program for at least three months. The U.S. Open begins in four weeks.
Roddick was understandably displeased, especially because he filed his retirement papers last year in good faith. By officially filing those papers, Roddick was dropped from the rankings. This allowed players behind him to move up one spot, which is why he says he made the move. But if he had simply stopped playing and not retired (like John McEnroe), Roddick says he’d have been eligible for that wild card.
“Frankly, if common sense won in this one, I passed 14 years of tests during my career,†he said. “I feel by doing the right thing and actually filing my retirement papers and not letting [my rankings] just fall off, I kinda got [expletive] in the end of this thing, which I’m not really thrilled about. Common sense, it makes no sense whatsoever. It’s nonsensical.â€
MORE: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/andy-roddick-us-open-drug-testing-mardy-fish-doubles
Andy Roddick can't play the U.S. Open because of a drug test he didn't fail
Andy Roddick’s bid to come out retirement and play doubles at the U.S. Open was thwarted because Roddick wasn’t in the sport’s drug testing pool for the required three months prior to the tournament.
The former American tennis star said he and his friend Mardy Fish, a one-time world No. 7, were hoping to fulfill a dream they’d had since they were 15 years old. But, as Roddick explained in a FOX Sports Live podcast with Ben Reiter, their plan was halted on a technicality.
Fish, 32, has only played six tournaments in the past two years and none since last August. He’s been sidelined with a heart ailment that eventually led to other health issues. Roddick said Fish was only associating tennis was negative things. To break that cycle, Roddick suggested they play doubles, something they could never coordinate in the past because of their singles routine. It would be cathartic for Fish, Roddick thought. Fish eventually agreed and last week Roddick began inquiring about the specifics — getting a wild card to the Open and placing himself back into the drug testing pool.
“I’m pumped,†Roddick remembered. “We’re gonna have a blast, it’ll be a one-time thing.â€
The excitement didn’t last long. Roddick was informed he was ineligible for a wild card, because players who come out of retirement have to be in the drug testing program for at least three months. The U.S. Open begins in four weeks.
Roddick was understandably displeased, especially because he filed his retirement papers last year in good faith. By officially filing those papers, Roddick was dropped from the rankings. This allowed players behind him to move up one spot, which is why he says he made the move. But if he had simply stopped playing and not retired (like John McEnroe), Roddick says he’d have been eligible for that wild card.
“Frankly, if common sense won in this one, I passed 14 years of tests during my career,†he said. “I feel by doing the right thing and actually filing my retirement papers and not letting [my rankings] just fall off, I kinda got [expletive] in the end of this thing, which I’m not really thrilled about. Common sense, it makes no sense whatsoever. It’s nonsensical.â€
MORE: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/07/andy-roddick-us-open-drug-testing-mardy-fish-doubles
