The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia - Andre Agassi has described as "irresponsible" unsubstantiated claims of extensive drug use in tennis, made by Australian player Andrew Ilie.

Agassi was reacting to claims from the 466th-ranked Ilie that the use of performance-enhancing drugs was widespread. Ilie said tour colleagues were prepared to "sacrifice their health for three years of fame".

Ilie, a first-round loser at the Australian Open, told Wednesday's Herald Sun newspaper that players will "sign their name over to the devil for money (and) fame".

His comments come as the International Tennis Federation launched random blood testing for the endurance-enhancing erythropoietin (EPO) on top of regular urine tests for other banned substances.

"You know it's out there, but you just don't know to what degree," Ilie charged.

Ilie said he had never used or been offered performance-enhancing drugs.

Agassi, who has welcomed the new blood tests and said it was important that testing was taken as seriously as possible, was critical of Ilie's comments.

"I think the one thing that I'd like to stick to is what we do know," Agassi said. "And what we do know is while there's been a minimal amount of players that have been caught over the last 10 years we are also probably the leading sport in reference to how often we test, how professional our tests are and how strict our penalties are.

"The talk of who might be or might not be (on drugs) is irresponsible."

Debbie Jevans, who heads the ITF's anti-doping unit, said the doping program was becoming more comprehensive.

"If you look back at the record, there has been some positive cases - six in the past seven years - which isn't many. The program is becoming more comprehensive with more testing each year."

Ilie's comments in the Melbourne-based newspaper are the latest to follow the ITF's decision to test for EPO.

Australian Mark Woodforde, a now-retired winner of 11 Grand Slam doubles titles, believes EPO is an issue in the sport.

"I would love to think that our sport is totally clean but I think, I, among numerous other players, you have to wonder occasionally," Woodforde said Tuesday.

Ilie said the authorities were fighting a losing battle, and suggested the only way to flush out drug users was by making substances legal.

"They should just give free-for-all," Ilie told the newspaper. "The problem is so bad at the moment you might as well let them use it and when players see people dying out there and exploding then it's going to change their minds."

Ilie, who gained attention two years ago for marking his wins at Grand Slam tournaments by ripping off his shirt, said tennis had become so competitive that players were looking for the edge found by taking drugs.

"It is just a matter of fitness and who will outlast who out there," Ilie said. "People are just happy to sacrifice their health for three years of fame."

Authorities were "trying their best" to eradicate drug abuse, added Ilie, who slipped from a career high No. 38 in March 2000 to 466 in the last year-end rankings. "But unless they come up with a full proof way to test, nothing's changed."

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