Richard, is that White Powder on your nose or you just happy to see me?

On the heels of Manny Ramirez's and Nascar driver Jeremy Mayfield’s failed drug tests, tennis has joined the mix after French tennis star Richard Gasquet was suspended by the International Tennis Federation following a positive test for cocaine. Not exactly as embarrassing as having lady drugs in your system but a violation all the same. The results were found in a urine sample taken at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, FL in March. If found guilty he could face a two year ban, but for now, he will be ineligible to play both Wimbledon and the French Open until a hearing is completed.

This is just another misstep in what was believed to be a very promising career that reached a pinnacle when in 2005 Gasquet beat Roger Federer at Monte Carlo. At his peak, Richard was ranked #7 in the world but is currently seated at #21, although I am not sure how your ranking is affected by ITF imposed vacations.

If I’ve learned anything from that so-so Bob Klapicsh book about Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, it’s that cocaine stays in your system longer than you expect. And that Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden loved the cocaine. Although I guess I couldn’t say I learned that they loved it, more like the extent in which they loved it. I am also thinking that Richard has learned that very same lesson about drugs staying your system. At least I hope he has, otherwise he's going to have to pull a Martina Hingis and retire.

Watch out Richard, because the popo are on your tail!

(Photo: AP; source)