Tennis latest: ITF lets Odesnik off 2-year ban 12 months early
American professional tennis player Wayne Odesnik will return to the courts next week, much to the surprise of fans and critics alike; the player had been suspended by the International Tennis Federation for two years due to drug possession, and still had
twelve months left before he could play.
However, the ITF stated that they had cut Odesnik’s ban in half, due to his cooperation with the anti-doping regime set up by the Federation. He had been suspended in May for the possession of human growth hormone. HGH is a drug used to enhance performance.
Odesnik, who turned pro in 2004, had reportedly tried to import the growth hormones into Australia; however, he denied using them and also tested negative for the substance.
Wayne Odesnik, who has never won an ATP title, was stopped by customs officers at the beginning of this year upon his arrival in Australia. He had planned to participate in the Brisbane International, a warm-up tournament before the first Grand Slam of the
year, the Australian Open. Upon searching his bags, the officers found eight vials of the substance, with each vial holding 6 milligrams. He pleaded guilty to charges of possession and was fined over 8000 Australian dollars, a rough equivalent of 7300 American
dollars.
The ITF’s new anti-doping policies include a clause which states that the last half of a player’s ban may be suspended, provided that “the participant has provided substantial assistance” while uncovering other drug-related offenses. However, they did not
specify the nature of Odesnik’s cooperation.
Although he was charged later, the ban was backdated to begin on 29 December 2009. Hence, Odesnik will be allowed to play from 29 December of this year. His best ever ranking on the Association of Tennis Professionals is World Number 77.
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