[TobaccoNUE]

this probably should have gone into "random random", but the guys comments are so refreshing, I thought he earned his own post. Love the way he matter of factly talks aobut drugs/why Agassi would get away with it while other players would not, the Davydenko gambling match (he was on the other side of the net) and his Fabrice Santoro comment is wonderful:

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Vassallo Arguello confesses: “I tried many drugs”
Posted on 17 November 2009


Argentine tennis player seventh seeded in the ATP rankings, Martin Vassallo Arguello, talked about everything. Following Aggasi’s confessions, he talked about illegal gambling, drugs, Rafael Nadal, and the supposed tennis players’ “friendship” in the Davis Cup.

“I tried drugs and many, but none that would test positive or was illegal,” the tennis player blurted out.

“I think that Agassi wants to sell a few books,” he said when asked about the recent confession made by the former American tennis player.

“From then on, I feel that this clearly shows what many of us think and have no way to prove: If one of the top tens does something illegal, the first thing to protect is the business,” he said.

“If someone breaks the rules, they must be punished, because in the long run these cover-ups end up deteriorating the sport.”

“Once I tried marijuana and I don’t know whether I did wrong or it was of bad quality, but it didn’t have any effect on me.”

“As for legalization, there should be an analysis on whether the society is prepared for freedom of consumption. I think in Holland it’s ok.”

He also recalled that a while ago, he was associated with Nicolay Davydenko over an issue of illegal gambling from which he got out clean. “Being involved in an investigation over gambling didn’t bother me at all. However, I wasn’t satisfied with the result of the investigation. The ruling didn’t clarify our innocence at all. It rather talked about ’insufficient evidence’. It is hard to believe that someone with the rank and unblemished career like Davydenko would be engaged in illegal gambling. ”

He also talked about his referents in tennis. “Santoro was the only player I asked to have a photograph with and sign it. I admire him the most. I feel he made the best out of his performance,” said Vassallo Arguello, who feels a special admiration for the French tennis player.

He was also asked about Rafael Nadal, who has always been suspected for the intake of steroids. Vassallo Arguello didn’t hesitate to defend him: “In 2002 I played against a very young Rafael Nadal and the first thing I said when I left the court (I lost 7-5 in the third set after a 3 hours and 40 minutes match) was: When did he have the time to develop such physical state if he’s only eight? It was a moment of fury because I was beat by a little boy, seven years younger than me. That’s why I made clear in what context I said that. I trully believe that Rafa is one of the healthiest guys I’ve met.”

With respect to the Davis Cup, he said “there is a misconception about the need of having a friendship in order to win the Davis Cup. I think the Davis Cup is a combination of individualities that we should try to strengthen. I shared only 5 days out of which 3 were matches, so there wasn’t a lot of ‘friendship’,” he concluded.

http://momento24.com/en/2009/11/17/v...ed-many-drugs/

[yxn2dC07]

I would really like to know.....what "many" drugs he's tried that are not banned and not illegal.

This article reads like....WOW! I'm not in the top ten but I got an interview!

He defends Davydenko to the death with a ...naive "rank and unblemished" career...he can't POSSIBLY be gambling because of his "rank" and his "unblemished" career....but then

He jumps on Andre for doing recreational drugs? And he shows just how wise he is by commenting so liberally about it with no references to the circumstances or the fact that ...it's a recreational drug and not a performance enhancing drug.

IMO...players who test for banned substances that are "recreational" drugs and not performance enhancers...simply show either...1. problems in dealing with issues or circumstances in their life and develop problems aka..Jennifer Capriati or...2. Were simply at a party or having "fun" and were irresponsible about it....aka..Richie Red Shoes.

I don't think a player who tests positive for recreational drugs (especially with NO buildup) belongs in the same category as performance enhancers...and THOSE are the drugs that really hurt the sport.

And that "just wants to sell a few books" comment is absurd. It isn't the only confession in the book and Andre isn't the one to pinpoint this incident.

If anything.....this interview gives a good look at how those in the lower ranks view those in the top ten Sorry you never made it up there Vassallo-Arguello!