Andy Murray tweets ‘good riddance’ on Odesnik ban

AMERICAN tennis player Wayne Odesnik has been banned for 15 years after a second doping violation, the United States Anti-Doping Agency has announced.

American player Wayne Odesnik for has been banned for 15 years after a second doping violation. Picture: AP

British No 1 and world No 4 Andy Murray had no sympathy for the player’s latest ban, 
tweeting: “Bye bye Wayne… Good riddance”.

Odesnik, who is 29 years old and ranked 267th in the world, tested positive for a number of banned substances including steroids after providing samples on 17 December and 12 January.

The suspension will last 15 years and is back-dated to commence from 30 January, ending 29 January, 2030.

The International Tennis Federation has also determined that Odesnik’s results at the Happy Valley Challenger event, Australian Open and Maui Challenger event should be disqualified as well as any ranking points or prize money earned in those tournaments.

A USADA statement read: “The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and the United States Anti-Doping Agency jointly announced that Wayne Odesnik has committed a second Anti-Doping Rule Violation.”

It continued: “Mr Odesnik’s commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the 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 30 January 2015, ending at midnight on 29 January 2030.”

Odesnik was previously sanctioned in 2010 for possession of human growth hormone but he denied ever taking the performance-enhancing drug.

The player’s original two-year ban was later cut to 12 months after the ITF said the player had co-operated with investigations.