Email this page

X

Send this page to a friend:

Send to (Email): Sent By (Email):

Court of Arbitration for Sport Reduces Professional Tennis Player Robert Kendrick’s Sanction to Eight Months

Auguat 30, 2011

Preti Flaherty, a law firm headquartered in Portland, Maine, and Hodgson Russ, a law firm headquartered in Buffalo, New York, announced today that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has reduced professional tennis player Robert Kendrick’s 12-month sanction to 8-months. This decision eliminates Mr. Kendrick’s chances of competing in this year’s U.S. Open.

Brent Nowicki of Hodgson Russ, who represents Mr. Kendrick with co-counsel Paul Greene, said, “We were certainly hopeful the CAS would permit Mr. Kendrick to play in the U.S. Open. Unfortunately that won’t happen.” Mr. Nowicki added “This is a tragic way to end a man’s career that has meant so much to so many people.”

Preti Flaherty sports law attorney Paul Greene added, “We are grateful that the CAS granted Robert the opportunity for an emergency hearing before the U.S. Open. We are obviously disappointed with the outcome because where Robert goes from here is unknown.”

Mr. Kendrick, who was hoping to compete in his last and final U.S. Open this season, stated “I want to thank all my family, colleagues, and fans who supported me through the last few months. It is a really sad day in sports when an athlete unintentionally ingests a banned supplement and is essentially told he can never play again. I stood up for myself and told the truth. No one disputed that I made an honest mistake and was taken advantage of by a supplement company. But somehow I was treated like an intentional cheater.” Mr. Kendrick added “I will take this time to evaluate my career and spend time with my family.”