Comments on: Six Things That Don’t Add Up About Martina Hingis’ Cocaine Scandal

By: pov

pov — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 05:35:52 +0000

“Threw Serena under the bus”?? Not really.

It wasn’t an issue where *maybe* Serena acted a certain way, or said certain things, and one was jumping to conclusions. She was being assessed solely on her very public behavior.

By: Aaress

Aaress — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:27:14 +0000

Paula: Excellent thoughts as always.

I don’t think that this would have been a lesser story if it was about a male player. I think in this case, it was because this type of situation has never happened to a player of Hingis’ stature in the modern era of drug testing.

Too bad about #4 – Several people have actually mentioned that the ITF may not even release the findings publicly from the drug tests. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Renee: Good point – if Hingis is found guilty, the ban would probably not exceed two years as this is her first offense.

By: renee

renee — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:05:45 +0000

Former top-ranked player Mats Wilander and Karel Novacek had positive tests for cocaine at the 1995 French Open. Both were banned for three months and ordered to return prize money and forfeit rankings points.

(this from the FOX NEWS website, illustrating there is nothing new here)

By: renee

renee — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 01:00:04 +0000

Wilander and Novacek (remember them?) were caught with coke in their system.
According to ex-wife Tatum McEnroe did coke and weed. He admitted that much in his autobiography.
You don’t have to have a drug problem to do coke. For some people is just a party thing.
I drink a glass of wine before and during dinner, but I surely don’t have a drinking problem.

By: PaulaV

PaulaV — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:54:29 +0000

4 points:

1) Would this scandal be such an attention grabber if the player were a male? It is possible that the female players are held up to a higher moral standard.

2) This type of scandal just doesn’t happen in professional tennis, or at least no one has been caught. Tennis players are held up to a higher standard than other athletes. It’s not really about athletes being held up to a higher standard then actors/models. Athletes are understandably given mandatory/random drug testing, since drugs can give them an unfair adtantage. Actors/models don’t face this in their jobs.

3) I recall reading that John McEnroe did quite a bit if “experimenting” in his prime, but was never caught. Also, I don’t think mandatory drug testing even existed in the 1970′s, so he wouldn’t have faced this situation.

4) We will probably never know the truth about Martina’s innocence or guilt, but I agree – her reputation is tarnished. But, if she truly has a drug problem, her reputation will be the least of her worries.

By: renee

renee — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:43:51 +0000

I do think MH is guilty of snorting a line of coke. Hey: it’s the fast lane, you know?
I applaud her for doing the press conference.
Of course, she denies. Of course: they ALL do, because if you deny (Tour de France cyclist Greg Landis, anybody?) you sow doubt.
It’s all part of the game.

By: Aaress

Aaress — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:30:51 +0000

Will – point taken, thanks.

Venusfan- Professionalism has nothing to do with the situation and like you said, I don’t believe anyone is “morally above” taking drugs. We all have an inherent sin nature, making myself and everyone else on earth morally capable of doing just about anything.

As for my opinion, I’m not leaning one way or the other when it comes to Hingis’ situation. It’s not my job or responsibility to clear her name, make her look innocent, or prove that she is guilty. Unfortunately, regardless of her guilt or innocence, her reputation and legacy has been tarnished.

All I would like to know is the truth.

By: Venusfan

Venusfan — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:21:11 +0000

i agree with will. the whole tone of your Serena post was verging on agressive. with hingis you’re pointing out things that dont add up, like you’re trying to prove her innocence or something. People keep saying that no one as “professional” as Hingis would take coke, but the comments she used to make about Venus, Serena and Amelie were far from professional, and i dont think she is morally above taking drugs. i do however, think she should be innocent until proven guilty and has an amazing legacy, which deserves to reamin untarnished.

By: Will.I.Am

Will.I.Am — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:05:31 +0000

It was a great post Aaress! I always appreciate your in-depth analysis of the issues surrounding the women’s game.

It’s just that after I read the post, I started to think that no one is really accusing Martina of any wrongdoing. She broke the news! We’re just waiting to see what happens. So it just didn’t seem necessary to have a post telling us don’t be quick to judge when we aren’t really judging her. Everyone is guilty until proven innocent.

And you really threw Serena under the bus that day! It was a terrible day to be a fan of your blog and a Serena fan.

By: WilliamsFan

WilliamsFan — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:04:39 +0000

I have still never heard of Mariya Koryttseva.