By Mike McIntyre

Frenchman Richard Gasquet has been cleared to resume his tennis career after completing a two and a half month ban for testing positive for cocaine. Apparently Gasquet kissed a woman at a Miami nightclub who had recently used the drug and inadvertently passed it on to him. Due to the small traces that were found in his system an ITF tribunal has rescinded the doping ban. 

“We have found the player to be a person who is shy and reserved, honest and truthful, and a man of integrity and good character,” the tribunal said in its ruling. “He is neither a cheat nor a user of drugs for recreational purposes.”

Given the tougher stance the ITF has taken against other tennis players who have tested positive for drug use over the years, I'm somewhat surprised that this violation was swept aside so easily. I'm not saying I do not believe in Gasquet's innocence, but his story does not seem to be backed by solid evidence. Somewhere out there Martina Hingis must be wishing she had thought of such an excuse two years ago when she tested positive for cocaine as well. 

Gasquet was facing a potential two year ban from the tour which would have made him twenty-five when he returned. Still young enough to return to form with the talent he possessed, but it would be tough to maintain your focus and training during that type of hiatus to be sure.

The doping violation will still remain on his record, meaning that if he tests positive again for the substance he would be facing a lifetime ban from the sport. That also seems odd to me - either he's guilty or he's not, right? How can you reinstate someone and concur with their version of the events that transpired, yet still threaten to end their career should he test positive in the future?   

The Frenchman expects to resume playing in the next few weeks. Welcome back Richard!