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[Aileen]

Well I don't know the ins and outs of it, but if it really was a sleeping pill then good for Andy for sticking up for him so publically.

Kendrick broke two rules - (1) that players are totally responsible for what they put into their bodies so therefore the onus is on them to check the ingredients of any medication they take and make sure that  none of them are on the banned list, regardless as to whether they're performance-enhancing or not (and not all the banned substances are performance-enhancing); and (2) Kendrick failed to tell the tournament authorities that he had taken this medication, something players are obliged to do.

Unfortunately lower-ranked players like Kendrick are more likely to fall into this trap, unlike the top players who have their teams to keep them right, which, in Andy's case, is probably just as well since it would seem that full knowledge of the rules has escaped him.

I know it sounds very harsh, but that's the way things are these days with the anti-doping bodies, and that stance has, in the past, been applauded by Andy, which is why I'm surprised at his naivety here.

[Aileen]

I agree with you absolutely Aileen, though I do think a whole year's ban was very harsh under the circumstances! A shorter 'sentence' would have been more appropriate I feel! Perhaps they're making an example of him!

He still has an appeal, so, given his age (31) I really do hope he gets a shorter ban, but .....   And the ITF were never happy about the WDA's decision on the over-amorous Richard Gasquet - something which was so bizarre it just had to be true!  Could only happen to a Frenchman!

[Aileen]

Fair enough and you're right that Kendrick should have known better.  But it does raise questions as to how fair the rules are and while I know Andy has been clear about the importance of such rules has he said the actual rules are right as they stand?  And I know he, like others, has been critical of the way the drug testers can take over their lives.  

I'm not aware of him making any comment about the rules as they stand, just his complaints about the way drug testers go about their business.  I wouldn't like to be woken at 4 am either to give a urine sample, as Andy was during Wimbledon - and it was his day off too!

However, all sports people are in the same boat.  It isn't only tennis players who have to put up with the inconvenience of having to let the authorities know where they're going to be at a certain time so's they can be tested - something which I see as a gross intrusion into one's personal privacy.

[Sir Panda]

After a seven month hiatus!

[Katie]

I've just seen his tweet, nice to see him back! If it is him that is, hope he hasn't been hacked...

[Sir Panda]

What did he say then?

''On centre against Benneteau tomorrow. Should win, he isnt very gd'.

[Ruthie]

''On centre against Benneteau tomorrow. Should win, he isnt very gd'.

Sounds like he's been hacked - unless it's getting his own back for Bennetau's remarks about him but even then don't think he'd be so crass as to say that - at least I hope not!
Oh I see this was a late April fool