Djokovic leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of perfection, but secrecy with drink mixture draws scrutiny from US tennis authorities
By DALISHA JOHNSON
30th May 2009, 12:00 am
Updated: 30th May 2009, 1:28 pm
Juan Martin del Potro and Ivan Lendl have both been fined £100 for bringing a mixture of alcohol and stimulants into a tournament where they play, the European and Commonwealth singles tournaments, respectively.
The tournament organiser, the World Tennis Association, has refused to comment.
It is understood that the players in question were banned from attending both tournaments and were informed of their suspension by their teams.
The US Tennis Association is expected to consider whether they will appeal the fines.
It is against the rules of the ATP and WTA to get alcohol or stimulants into a tennis tournament.
Earlier this year, Andre Agassi was banned from attending the Australian Open because he allowed his driver to ferry in alcohol and champagne to the tournament.
The Australian Open said its ban on alcohol would continue beyond the 2009 Australian Open.
The decision to ban alcohol in a tennis tournament or the men’s senior Open championships was taken in part because of the risk of head injury from excessive alcohol consumption.
Players in the men’s singles final between Andy Murray and Stefan Edberg earlier this year, were asked by the referee for their alcohol levels.
Their total alcohol readings were between 15 and 25 per cent, which was in line with the rule, according to the New York Times.
As of Friday morning, Murray was still in the Australian Open but Edberg has already been released from the tournament, according to the newspaper.
The US National Football League said the NFL had no comment.
Last year, the US Open banned alcohol from all Grand Slam tournaments, including the men’s championship.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were given a 10-day suspension for drinking in the 2008 edition of the US Open. They were also given a $2,500 fine for bringing a handbag containing alcohol into the tournament.
Federer and Nadal were later cleared by a medical tribunal
