Christophe Rochus claims widespread doping in tennis

Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure reported Rochus's claims that doping takes place in tennis and, bizarrely, that he "would not be against" the legalisation of performance-enhancing drugs.

"There's a lot of cheating. Simply, people don't like to talk about it," Rochus said.

"I simply would like to stop the pretending. This hypocrisy is exasperating."

Rochus, who said he received a warning letter from the ATP Tour after speaking out on the issue in the past, estimated he received up to 15 tests a year for 10 years under the anti-doping program but believed some players managed to evade the system.

"I've seen things like everyone else," he said, without elaborating.

"For me, it's inconceivable to play for five hours in the sun and come back like a rabbit the next day.

"I remember a match against a guy whose name I will not say.

"I won the first set 6-1, very easily. He went to the bathroom and came back metamorphosised.

"He led 5-3 in the second set and when I came back to 5-5... his nose began bleeding. I told myself it was all very strange."

Asked whether he was open to allowing the use of performance-enhancing drugs, Rochus said, "I would not be against it. Anyway, it exists.

"People who take these type of products know very well they take risks with their health. But they take it knowing because it could let them make a living for their entire family."

Rochus also addressed past speculation that some sort of doping suspension was behind Justine Henin's sudden retirement in May 2008, from which she returned approximately 18 months. A standard doping suspension is two years.

"I heard (the rumours) like you," he said. All I can say is, I found it surprising, her sudden stop without apparent reason. Usually, champions like this announce several months in advance and do a sort of farewell tour."

Rochus was at the centre of an alleged betting storm at Rhode Island in July.

Betting shopts were alarmed when Rochus's match with British battler Richard Bloomfield attrached more about $2million in bets and triggered unexplained movement in the markets.

Bloomfield, then the world No, 552, beat Rochus 7-6 6-3.

The win is believed to have drawn the attention of the anti-corruption Tennis Integrity Unit.

Rochus was then ranked 160th, after slipping from a career peak of world No 38.

Yet in the hours leading up to the match, Bloomfield was heavily backed.