Roddick withdraws his sympathy for Vondrousova: "It seems that nothing happened as it was told"
After initially expressing his empathy for Vondrousova, the former number one has now voiced a completely opposite second opinion following the details of the Czech player's doping sanction.
He says that to rectify is wise, although this does not always mean being right. The issue is that, a few weeks ago, Andy Roddick had a very different thought about Marketa Vondrousova and her sanction case than he does today. Why this change in pattern? He explained it himself recently on his podcast.
The former world number one acknowledges that he initially felt sympathy for the player upon hearing her version of the events. However, the emergence of new elements during the investigation, including text messages and other details included in the ruling, has caused a shift in stance. “I admit, when this first came out and I heard the circumstances, I had some sympathy for her. Since then, with more confirmations, more things and text messages, it seems that none of that really happened as it was told,” Roddick explains on Served, the space where he usually comments on all current events.
Andy Roddick supports the ITIA, although he questions the severity of the punishment for Vondrousova
One of the aspects that raises doubts for the 2003 US Open champion is the contradiction between some of Vondrousova's arguments and what happened that night. The Czech stated that she did not know who was behind the door and that she was afraid for her safety, but it was later confirmed that she recognized the doping agent. Furthermore, she went down with her dog and signed the documentation.
“To say that you didn’t know who was at the door and then say that you recognized the person... to say that you were scared, but then go out with your dog and sign the papers, it just doesn’t add up to me [...] I feel bad because someone’s career is coming to an end, but I also don’t think she did much to help herself that night or afterwards,” adds the Nebraskan, who never holds back on any topic.
Roddick also defends the actions of the ITIA, which he considers a “responsible and thorough” organization for the way it explains its decisions and responds to the questions raised. The American also understands that surprise checks require a degree of unpredictability: “It’s always going to be imperfect when we try to surprise people with doping controls, that’s part of the equation.” Despite everything, Roddick finds it excessively harsh that a decision made during an episode of just a few minutes can condition an entire career.
On all this, it is worth remembering that Vondrousova could still appeal to the CAS, so the former American tennis player does not rule out a reduction of the punishment. “It’s a 20-minute window that is going to affect her entire career and that stinks. Maybe it can become something less intentional, I don’t know, there’s no perfect answer to this,” concludes Andy.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Roddick retira su simpatía por Vondrousova: “Parece que nada ocurrió como se contó”