Double fault: Agassi

I get that tennis isn’t a huge sport like football or baseball, and that it needs as much good press as it can get. But the news Tuesday that Andre Agassi failed a drug test in 1997 and avoided a suspension by claiming his “drink was spiked” with crystal meth is a joke.

Apparently any old excuse seems to work when trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Association of Tennis Professionals. In July, Freshman Richard Gasquet was facing a suspension after testing positive for cocaine, but he was cleared to play by the ATP after explaining he kissed a woman who took the drug in a Miami nightclub.

Wow.

The ATP likely will come under a lot of scrutiny this week, and it’s already started. The World Anti-Doping Agency — founded in 1999 — asked the ATP to explain why Agassi was allowed to play and never served a suspension despite the failed test. According to an Associated Press story, Fahey said the WADA can’t take any action against Agassi because of the agency’s eight-year statue of limitation, and it’s “unlikely” the ATP will punish the former world No. 1.

“WADA would, however, expect the ATP, which administered its own anti-doping program at that time, to shed light on this allegation,” Fahey said in a statement.

Tennis has had its share of heartwarming stories the past few years — Federer eclipsing Sampras, the rise of Andy Murray and two amazing Wimbledon men’s finals. But it’s also seen its share of black eyes — Serena Williams and her verbal assault on a linesperson and all of the gambling accusations and issues.

Andre Agassi may have just lifted a huge monkey from his back, all while making a pretty penny in the process, but revelations like these are slowing killing the sport.