Drugs ban put Puerta on a high
2005-05-31 13:07
Paris - Surprise French Open quarter-finalist Mariano Puerta believes he has been inspired to reach the last eight at Roland Garros by a nine-month drugs ban he served last year.
The 26-year-old Argentine left-hander returned to the tour in July 2004 after his ban was imposed for testing positive for clenbuterol at the Vina del Mar tournament in Chile in February 2003.
"I am enjoying myself because of all my experiences, because of all the things I have been through," said the world number 37 who faces compatriot Guillermo Canas on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals.
"All the things that have happened have strengthened me."
Puerta blamed his failed test on taking treatment to treat his his asthma.
"I took medication for asthma, my mistake was not to notify the doctors about this," he said at the time.
- AFP