Tennis

Andy Murray welcomes Wayne Odesnik ban

ESPN staff

March 18, 2015

Wayne Odesnik had been banned previously © Getty Images

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American tennis player Wayne Odesnik has been banned for 15 years after a second doping violation, the United States Anti-Doping Agency has announced - a sanction seemingly welcomed by Andy Murray.

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 December 17 and January 12.

And British No.1 and world No.4 Murray appeared to voice his approval for Odesnik's latest ban, tweeting: "Bye bye Wayne... Good riddance".

Bye bye Wayne... Good riddance
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 18, 2015

The suspension will last 15 years and is back-dated to commence from January 30, ending January 29 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 (the "Programme") and the United States Anti-Doping Agency ("USADA") jointly announced today 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, and so 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 fully with investigations. Odesnik, formerly ranked 77th in the world, achieved his best result at a Grand Slam in 2008 when he reached the third round of the French Open.

ESPN staff