Odesnik Banned 15 Years for Doping

March 18, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have announced that American Wayne Odesnik will face a 15-year ban from the sport following a second doping violation.

Odesnik had previously been sanctioned back in 2010 for possessing a human growth hormone. That penalty was originally supposed to be two years, but was reduced after Odesnik cooperated with authorities.

In a press release, the ITF stated:

“Mr. Odesnik’s commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the Programme [Tennis Anti-Doping Programme] was confirmed, which was his second such violation, having been sanctioned in 2010 for the possession of human growth hormone. It was, therefore, determined that he is suspended from participation for a period of 15 years, back-dated to commence from Jan. 30, 2015, and so ending at midnight on Jan. 29, 2030. It was also determined that Mr. Odesnik’s results at the Happy Valley Challenger event, Australian Open and Maui Challenger event should be disqualified, with forfeiture of the ranking points and prize money that he won at those events.”

Odesnik qualified for the U.S. Open last summer, but lost in the opening round to eventual runner-up Kei Nishikori.

After his 15-year ban was delivered, Odesnik announced in a statement that he would be retiring, and gave an explanation for his positive drug test.

“In December, I unknowingly ingested a contaminated over-the-counter supplement. Upon learning of my positive test results I was immediately heartbroken as words could not describe my shock and disappointment,” Odesnik wrote. “Being the most tested American tennis player on tour, I would never knowingly have taken any chance of consuming a banned substance. The contaminated product is currently with an independent accredited testing laboratory in California for further testing at my own expense, and I am currently considering all my legal options.” 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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