Slow Process

It can take more than 10 months from the time a tennis player tests positive for drugs until a final appeals decision is reached:

* Lab results As long as two weeks.

* Review of lab results As long as two weeks.

* Evaluate data As long as two days.

* Review board evaluation As long as five days.

* Contract and assessment of player As long as three weeks.

* Evaluation of medical information As long as five days.

* Arrangements for “B” sample test As long as two weeks.

* Review of lab data for “B” test As long as two weeks.

* Review board final determination As long as five days.

* ATP or WTA Tour and player notification As long as two days.

* Player’s right to appeal As long as 10 days.

* Appeals panel prep As long as two months.

* Appeals panel hearing and decision As long as three days.

* Decision to appeal As long as three weeks.

* Public announcement As long as four months.

Caught in the Act

Prominent tennis drug cases:

* Petr Korda, Czech Republic: Tested positive for banned anabolic steroid nandrolone at Wimbledon in 1998. Case remains in litigation.

* Samantha Reeves, United States: Tested positive for nandrolone in an out-of-competition test in December 1997. ITF imposed no sanctions.

* Ignacio Truyol, Spain: Tested positive for steroids. Suspended for a year in January 1997; no longer on tour.

* Mats Wilander, Sweden: Former world No. 1 tested positive for cocaine at 1995 French Open. Fined and suspended for three months.

* Karel Novacek, Czech Republic: Tested positive for cocaine at 1995 French Open. Fined and suspended for three months.