Agassi stunned by McEnroe's claims
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Andre Agassi said he was at a "loss for words" over John McEnroe's comments about drugs in the sport in the light of Greg Rusedski's positive test for nandrolone.
Former world number one McEnroe told a British newspaper on Sunday that he had been given steroids without his knowledge during his career.
But Agassi, who was a winner at the Kooyong exhibition on Wednesday, along with Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, leapt to the defence of tennis.
"Our game is built on sportsmanship, it's built on respect for the game and I think there were many years when it wasn't the business that it is today," he said.
"As the nature of the game has changed I think it has left room for the potential, like any other sport, for the odd person to look for an advantage, even an unfair advantage.
"But with that being said, I believe the game has evolved every bit as quickly when it comes to the process of detecting the cheats.
"I just find that every positive test that may come out is a reflection of just how serious our drug testing programme is.
"I think we have moved with the times, I think it is a very healthy approach towards the drug testing process."
McEnroe speaks out
"For six years I was unaware I was being given a form of steroid of the legal kind they used to give horses until they decided it was too strong even for horses," McEnroe was quoted in weekend newspaper reports.
"So people have to become more aware of what they are putting into their bodies. In general people are administered drugs too readily."
Agassi, in Melbourne to prepare for the defence of his Australian Open crown, was incredulous.
"Well, you try to find the understanding in why some people choose to say the things that they do and in reference to those specific quotes or admissions, I am not quite sure who that benefits.
"I just find myself (at) a bit of a loss for words when it comes to that sort of stuff being expressed. I'm not sure what to say about that."
Rusedski says he is convinced he will be cleared of any wrongdoing at a hearing in Montreal on February 9.
The Canadian-born British number two says that over 40 top tennis players have shown "elevated levels" of the substance, and argues that he is being singled out.
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