By Matthew Cronin
An ATP player has told TENNIS.com that he is not shocked by revelations that Wayne Odesnik was in possession of human growth hormone (HGH) when he arrived in Australia in January for the Brisbane tournament.
Odesnik pleaded guilty Friday to importing HGH into Australia. The left-hander, who reached a career high No. 77 last spring, was fined more than $7,000 and could be banned from tennis for two years for possessing the hormone, which is prohibited by the anti-doping program. Odesnik pleaded guilty in a Brisbane court after customs officials found eight vials, each containing six milligrams of the performance-enhancing substance, in his baggage.
“I’m not surprised about Wayne,” the player, who wished to remain anonymous, told TENNIS.com. “We all had suspicions about three to four years ago. His upper body got huge at one point and his legs stayed skinny. He had zits all over his back. But it’s never worth all that risk.”
Odesnik is perhaps best known for reaching the third round of the 2008 French Open, where he pulled off the biggest victory of his career by defeating No. 29 seed Guillermo Canas 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8). Ironically, Canas is now coaching Odesnik. After the win, Odesnik expressed a love for clay and added that he was pleased to have improved his endurance and footwork.
This year, Odesnik has reached the quarterfinals of Brisbane International and the second round of the Australian Open, but has only won one match in four tournaments since then. It is unknown whether he was tested during the Australian Open.
“This is an active case and the ITF, on behalf of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, doesn't comment on the particulars until and unless a doping offense has been determined," the ITF told TENNIS.com in a statement.
Odesnik’s fellow player was a bit surprised that he’s yet to fail a test. “What does that say about WADA?” he asked. “He’s carrying this stuff all the way to Australia, so what makes you think he hasn’t been using this for weeks, months or years? If he has been tested, how hasn’t this stuff been discovered?”