Wonderful World of Tennis / Simon Mundie / 19 May 2009 / Leave a comment

As the world of tennis waits to hear what sentence will be handed out to Richard Gasquet, Simon Mundie wonders what may have caused the genial Frenchman to experiment with recreation drugs and looks at other player who haven't quite fulflled their potential.

The saddest story from the world of professional tennis thus far this year is without doubt the recent news that Richard Gasquet is staring at a two year ban. The talented Frenchman failed a pre-tournament drugs test in Miami in March, where his sample was found to contain traces of cocaine. Gasquet quickly released a statement to the press professing his innocence, saying he is collecting evidence that will show he didn't take the drug, but there is every chance he will be forced to spend a long time on the sidelines.

It would be a real loss if Gasquet did suffer a lengthy ban as he's one of the most talented and elegant players around who has been hailed as a future champion since he was first pictured on the front cover of a French tennis magazine at the age of just nine years old. Furthermore, you could argue that treating recreational drug use in exactly the same way as taking steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs is unfair. After all, even if he is found guilty, he is no cheat; he is merely someone who has gone somewhat astray and quite possibly squandered his not inconsiderable talent.

Gasquet's career to date has been disappointing on the whole. He has not been able to turn talent into results at the top level, and has been criticised for lacking the real stomach for a fight. His highest ever ranking was seven which he achieved in 2007 after beating Andy Roddick in an epic five set match at Wimbledon to reach the semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Roger Federer in straight sets. Thereafter his form dipped and last year he suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Andy Murray ([9.6] to win the French open, [6.6] to reach the final) in the fourth round at SW19, after he had been two sets up and serving for the match in the third. Murray dug in and eventually proved that his will was stronger than the Frenchman's.

So what makes a player like Gasquet take his eye off the ball in such dramatic fashion? The Frenchman is still only 22 years old, and has millions of euros in the bank along with a celebrity status wherever he goes. The pressure on his shoulders to turn his talent into trophies is immense, and that is clearly something that sits uncomfortably with him.

He doesn't appear to have the hunger or inner resolve needed to make it right to the very top, a quality that the current world number one Rafael Nadal ([1.42] to win the French) has in spades, and is apparent in all the great champions. Possessing all that talent without the necessary mental strength to fully harness it seems to have been too much for Gasquet to bear, so he has sought to escape the pressure away from the practice court.

Gasquet is obviously a high profile casualty, but he is far from alone in not retaining the supreme focus it takes to stay competitive with the best players in the world. Each of the current 'Big Four' are totally single-minded in their quest for tennis glory, but lower down the rankings there are plenty of players who haven't fulfilled their potential, albeit in less dramatic fashion than Gasquet.

David Nalbandian ([21.0] to reach the French open final) is another character who has flattered to deceive. He first reached the Wimbledon final in 2002 as an unknown entity, before going on and showing that he could play and compete on any surface.

The Argentine has reached the semi-finals at every Grand Slam event, but has failed to reach another major final. His conditioning has been suspect throughout his career, and he has been unable to fully immerse himself in the sport at the expense of nearly all outside influences in the same way as Federer ([2.68] to reach French final, [8.6] to win), Nadal, Murray and Djokovic ([3.7] to reach French final, [14.5] to win) all have. Those four are part of a rare breed who can each live, breathe and sleep tennis in a way that many players are simply incapable of doing.

Tomas Berdych still has time on his side to prove he is capable of giving his all to his chosen profession, but the signs indicate that he too may finish his career with a question mark and 'what if' hanging over his head. When his powerful game is on song, he is capable of beating anyone on the circuit, yet he doesn't seem to be truly committed to the game. Perhaps having so much money at his disposal at such a young age has slightly dulled his inner fire. Then there are the likes of Paul Henri Mathieu, the recently retired Guillermo Coria, Feliciano Lopez and Mikhael Youzhny to name but a few more.

It is true that none of those players at the moment have to face the prospect of being banned from playing, as is the case with Gasquet. Many people will be hoping that the Frenchman doesn't face the full wrath of the anti-drug brigade, for the simple fact that he wasn't seeking to achieve any professional advantage over his peers.

Indeed, if he has been taking recreational drugs it would actually have an adverse effect on his game. He may be guilty of being reckless and irresponsible, but as a young man of 22 with so much to offer the game, does he really deserve to be denied from playing for such a prolonged period as is currently being suggested, effectively curtailing a career that had failed to reach the heights it was clearly capable of hitting?

I would suggest not, as it is in all likelihood a symptom of a deeper malaise, rather than anything more sinister. A few months on the sidelines could do him good, but anything much longer would be extremely unfortunate for both Richard Gasquet and anyone with an eye for skill and flair on the tennis court.