Thursday 19 March 2015 06:59, UK
American tennis player Wayne Odesnik has been banned for 15 years for a second doping violation.
Odesnik was suspended for two years in 2010 after admitting to importing human growth hormone into Australia, although that ban was reduced to one year after he helped anti-doping authorities.
The 29-year-old returned to action in 2011, although he has been mainly restricted to Challenger events and attempts to qualify for Grand Slams since the expiration of his first ban.
But it was confirmed on Wednesday, in a joint statement from the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and the United States Anti-Doping Agency, that prohibited substances had been found in failed out-of-competition tests Odesnik was subjected to in December 2014 and January 2015.
The statement read: "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.
"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."
British No 1 Andy Murray was clearly not upset to hear the news of Odesnik's ban, as he said on Twitter: "Bye bye Wayne... Good riddance."
Odesnik later released his own statement, in which he confirmed his retirement from the ATP Tour while suggesting he could appeal the decision.
The statement read: "In December 2014, 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.
"Being the most tested American 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 my legal options."
