Telephone 'trial' will not aid Rusedski

Greg Rusedski’s hopes of escaping suspension following a positive test for nandrolone are not thought to hang on the manner in which the tribunal is formed.

Reports have suggested the three-man panel, to be chaired by Montreal QC Yves Fortier, would not be able to convene in the Canadian city on February 9 as previously scheduled and are ready to conduct the hearing via a conference call.

It was claimed that Rusedski’s chances of being cleared would increase if that were the case, an argument apparently based on the fact that six unnamed players were exonerated last year in hearings held over the telephone.

The ATP cleared the six players because it could not rule out the fact that supplements provided by tour trainers were contaminated.

Rusedski claims his sample has the same “analytical fingerprint” to the six cleared players, but he would still have to prove that whether the case was heard in person or over the telephone.

Rusedski confirmed after yesterday’s defeat to Albert Costa in the first round of the Australian Open that he would be travelling to Montreal for the hearing.

“That’s where the tribunal will be taking place,” he said.

The governing body of men’s tennis are not in a position to confirm or deny that Rusedski even faces a hearing because they are bound to confidentiality by their anti-doping code.

Had Rusedski not gone public earlier this month, the public would be unaware he had failed a test and, as a result, faces a potential two year ban.

All a spokesman for the ATP could say was that “it is common-place for conference calls to be held prior to a tribunal”.

Rusedski’s decision to mount his defence in public has caused frustration amongst officials at the ATP who have urged him to remain silent and present his case on February 9.