PARIS - Argentina’s Mariano Puerta tested positive for a banned drug following his loss in the French Open final and faces a possible life ban for a second doping offense, the sports newspaper L’Equipe reported Wednesday.
Puerta tested positive for the stimulant etilefrine after his four-set loss to Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the June 5 final, the French publication reported, without citing sources.
Puerta’s urine samples — the A and B specimens — were analyzed by the French doping laboratory in Chatenay-Malabry.
Puerta told associates he had taken medication to fight the flu at the time of the tournament, L’Equipe said. The 10th-ranked Argentine won a second-round match Wednesday at the Japan Open. Calls by The Associated Press to his hotel room in Tokyo went unanswered.
Giorgio Brasero, Puerta’s French-based agent, said he spoke with the player by phone and they will take their time before deciding on a course of action.
“I prefer not to elaborate for now,” Brasero said. “There is a sense of injustice. This has upset everyone, his wife, his friends. Should we believe everything L’Equipe says? No.”
In August, L’Equipe reported that Lance Armstrong tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug EPO during the first of his seven Tour de France victories in 1999. Armstrong denied the accusations.
Puerta’s name will not be officially released until an independent panel reviews the case according to the rules of tennis’ governing body, L’Equipe said.
Puerta is one of five Argentine players caught up in doping cases in recent years. Guillermo Coria, Juan Ignacio Chela and Guillermo Canas served drug suspensions, while Martin Rodriguez received a warning for a positive caffeine test.
****Wow...he could be banned for life after this one. I love Puerta. I'm so disappointed.