American tennis player Wayne Odesnik was banned Wednesday for 15 years after a second doping violation, a sanction that essentially ends his career and was widely applauded by several top players. The International Tennis Federation said the 29-year-old Odesnik tested positive for several banned substances, including steroids, during tests in December and January. The ban was back-dated to Jan. 30 and will run until Jan. 29, 2030.
"Players and athletes should know if they cheat, they get caught," second-ranked Roger Federer said from California. "I'm all for a clean sport, and that's why you've got to catch those guys who don't do the things they are supposed to be doing." Odesnik was first sanctioned in 2010 for the possession of human growth hormone. Odesnik was off the ATP Tour from 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. "Obviously when that happens twice, you don't deserve to be on the tour," third-ranked Rafael Nadal said. "Bye bye Wayne... Good riddance," Murray, a two-time Grand Slam champion, tweeted Wednesday.
