World number four Andy Murray has welcomed the 15-year doping ban handed out to Wayne Odesnik by tweeting: “Bye bye Wayne… Good riddance.”
Odesnik, 29, tested positive for several banned substances, including steroids, in December and January. The American, ranked 267th in the world, announced his retirement within minutes of his ban becoming public.
It was his second doping violation, following a two-year ban in 2010 for possessing human growth hormone (HGH).
Murray’s comments were echoed by Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion and a former world number one. The American, who is now retired, tweeted: “I hate that he has a US flag next to his name when he’s cheating. Good riddance.”
Odesnik’s best result at a Grand Slam came in 2008, when he reached the third round of the French Open. He also reached the 2009 final of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, his only ATP World Tour final. He achieved his highest world ranking of 77 in April 2009.
In his statement announcing his retirement, Odesnik claimed he had “unknowingly ingested a contaminated over-the-counter supplement” and said he was “heartbroken”.
As a result of his latest violation, Odesnik’s results at this year’s Happy Valley Challenger event, Australian Open and Maui Challenger event will be disqualified and the ranking points and prize money forfeited.
Odesnik was first sanctioned in 2010 for the possession of human growth hormone. Odesnik was off the tour form April 2010 to August 2011 after pleading guilty in Australia to importing HGH. He denied using the drug, and repeatedly said he never tested positive.
The ban was cut to 12 months after he gave “substantial assistance” to the International Tennis Federation.
At last year’s U.S. Open, Odesnik earned a wild-card but lost to eventual finalist Kei Nishikori in the first round. It was the first time he played in the tournament’s main draw since 2009, shortly before his first ban.
The ITF originally banned him for two years, but cut the penalty in half, saying he cooperated with investigators. Andy Murray and other players later criticized Odesnik, wondering aloud in what way the American might have cooperated with doping authorities.
This year, he lost in qualifying ahead of the Australian Open.
Wayne Odesnik banned 15 years for 2nd doping violation
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