The verdict on Wayne Odesnik is in.

A little background:  Wayne Odesnik is a "scrub" American tennis player.  A total "jobber" on the circuit and a first round casualty in many a tournament.  His ranking lingers around 100, but is about to drop off tremendously.  His career is probably over.  He was busted in Australia for having HGH in his bags, and the ITF has come down with his punishment.

This story is from tennis.com.

The ITF has suspended Wayne Odesnik for two years for HGH possession. Australian customs officials found eight vials of the banned hormone in his luggage when he arrived Down Under for the Brisbane tournament in January.


The incident became public in March, when Odesnik pleaded guilty to illegally trying to import HGH in an Australian court and was fined over $10,000. The American subsequently played Houston before accepting a voluntary suspension while the ITF completed its investigation.

Odesnik's suspension is backdated to 29 December, the date he says he purchased the HGH, and runs till 28 December 2011.

A statement from the ITF said:

"Mr Odesnik asserted that he had purchased the human Growth Hormone on professional advice to treat a recurring injury, and that he intended to apply for a therapeutic use exemption prior to using it. Mr Odesnik denied ever using any of the human Growth Hormone.

The ITF has no evidence to contradict that denial, but Mr Odesnik did not in fact obtain or apply for a therapeutic use exemption for the human Growth Hormone prior to obtaining it. Accordingly, Mr Odesnik’s possession of the human Growth Hormone is an anti-doping rule violation under Article C.6 of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme."

Though ITF and Australian anti-doping officials were notified shortly after Australian customs officials made the discovery, Odesnik was allowed to continue competing because tennis anti-doping rules allow for provisional suspensions only when players have tested positive for a banned sustance, not for possession. However, today's decision means that Odesnik, who took part in eight events since the bust, will lose all ranking points and prize money earned during that time.

Odesnik has now come out with a statement of his own, released by his attorney:

"I accept the ITF's decision regarding my sanction for being in possession of a banned substance. I made an honest mistake and I regret the impact that my actions have had on the sport of tennis; a game that I have loved since childhood and one which has given me many great opportunities and memories. The sole reason I was in possession of this banned substance was under doctor's advice for treatment of a recurring shoulder injury. I was unaware at the time that this would be considered an anti-doping violation. I never have taken nor tested positive for any banned substance in my career. Finally, I want to thank all my family, friends, and fans who have been so supportive of me throughout this difficult time. During my time away from tennis, I will try to give back to the game in a positive way and use this experience to motivate me to work harder than ever."