Rusedski forced to go public

Greg Rusedski only decided to go public about his failed drugs test after rumours began circulating in the British media, he said on Monday....

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Greg Rusedski only decided to go public about his failed drugs test after rumours began circulating in the British media, he said on Monday.

Rusedski told a news conference after beating Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela at the Sydney international on Monday he was forced to admit he had been charged with a doping offence when journalists began quizzing him. “I was called by many journalists. It was circulating in the UK,” Rusedski said. “Obviously I had no choice, I was put on the spot, if you like.”

Rusedski said last week that he had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone at a tournament in the United States last year and is to appear at a hearing in Montreal next month.

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But the British number two maintained his innocence and has vowed to continue to play while defending the charges. “I know I’m innocent, I’ve said that from the beginning,” he said.

“I’m not going to hide, I’m going to go out here and I’m going to play. This is what I enjoy doing, this is my job and I love it. That’s why I’m here,’’ he said.

The former U.S. Open finalist claimed the testing procedure was faulty and dozens of other players had also failed tests but only he was charged. Rusedski managed to put his off-court troubles aside to beat Chela 7-6, 7-6 in the first round of the Sydney tournament on Monday.