Canas says ATP have made mistake

Argentina's Guillermo Canas insisted that the men's tennis organisers, the ATP, had made a mistake by handing the world number 10 a two-year ban for doping on Monday.

The announcement of the suspension stunned the 27-year-old Canas's homeland after he became the fourth player from the South American country to fall foul of doping violations in recent years.

"The ATP have made a mistake in my case," said Canas, who tested positive for the prohibited diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) at a tournament in the Mexican resort of Acapulco in February.

"It was a lapse by the whole system at the Acapulco tournament," he told a news conference.

"It was people from the tournament who went to buy me the medicines with the guarantees of the ATP," said Canas, who has protested his innocence since the ATP announced they were investigating him two months ago.

Few in Argentina had expected the maximum penalty after previous offenders Juan Ignacio Chela, Guillermo Coria and Mariano Puerta were let off with lesser suspensions.

"I don't think there's a conspiracy," Canas said. "It's more of a political decision than a decision against my country. There's a lot of money at stake."

Canas's ban drew immediate comparisons with Diego Maradona, who famously said that his legs had been cut off after he was kicked out of the 1994 World Cup for failing a doping test.

Former player Guillermo Vilas was among those who felt the ban was harsh.

"It's sad for Argentina and it's a very tough punishment," Vilas said.

Canas must also repay $276,070 in prize money and forfeit 525 singles and 95 doubles ranking points as part of the sanction.

He will be eligible to return to competition on June 11, 2007.