Armstrong Interview Earns Player Reactions in Melbourne

Though focused on reaching the second week of the Australian Open, several players gave candid reactions to Lance Armstrong's much publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey.

By Erik Gudris

(January 18th, 2013) -- Disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong's high profile interview with Oprah Winfrey became a focus of discussion among many players at this week's Australian Open.

After the airing of Armstrong's interview where he admitted to concealing his long-term doping use that helped him win seven Tour de France titles, several players were asked about their thoughts on Armstrong's admission and the ongoing current debate over drug testing in tennis.

Novak Djokovic, though he had not yet seen the interview, still had strong words against Armstrong.

"I think it's a disgrace for the sport to have an athlete like this. He cheated the sport. He cheated many people around the world with his career, with his life story," said Djokovic. "I think they should take all his titles away because it's not fair towards any sportsman, any athlete. It's just not the way to be successful. So I think he should suffer for his lies all these years."

While Djokovic admitted that he had not received a blood test in the last six months, he still felt the current testing system for tennis was working.

"I mean, you know, we can discuss about the options for a while," Djokovic said. "But generally I believe that the present regulations about anti doping tests in tennis are good, in my views. I don't think there should be any major changes because, as you know, it's official. We have to write where we are every day of our lives so they have an opportunity to test us every day of 365 days in a year. I think that doesn't give anybody a chance to do something that is unsportsmanlike."

Maria Sharapova, after her victory over Venus Williams, said she did see parts of the interview before her match.

"I think it's just a really sad story, sad for that sport itself," said Sharapova. "I'm happy that our sport is as clean as it can be and that we're constantly tested. You know, we give whereabouts of where we are every single day of the year."

Janko Tipsarevic, who won a grueling five set match against Julien Benneteau, said he felt the current testing methods in tennis were strict enough citing that he was recently tested in Kenya where he was training during the pre-season.

"In regards of tennis, I think they test me often enough, blood and urine. So, sure, if they want to increase it, why not? But we have a tough enough time with this WADA process of us telling them every single day of our life where we need to be," said Tipsarevic. "So I don't really see how can it be more strict than that.

(Photo Credit: Australian Open)