Wayne Odesnik retires after receiving 15-year doping ban

Wayne Odesnik has announced his retirement after he received a 15-year ban for a second doping violation. Odesnik, 29, was banned from April 2010 to August 2011 after he pleaded guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia.

Wayne Odesnik has announced his retirement after he received a 15-year ban for a second doping violation.

Odesnik, 29, was banned from April 2010 to August 2011 after he pleaded guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced Odesnik's latest ban on Wednesday after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid methenolone and androst and growth hormone in an out-of-competition testing in December 2014.

Odesnik announced his retirement from tennis in a statement on Wednesday. He said he was thankful for his tennis career and also explained his positive test.

“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 tennis player on the 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.”

Odesnik is the No. 267 ranked player in the world. After testing positive in December, Odesnik played the Australian Open and two ATP Challenger events. He defeated fellow American Ryan Harrison in the first round of qualifying at the Australian Open before losing in the second round, and lost in the second round of Challenger tournaments in Happy Valley, Australia, and Maui, Hawaii. 

Andy Murray, who is competing at this week's BNP Paribas Open, tweeted his reaction to the news. 

[tweet=https://twitter.com/andy_murray/status/578243614091804672]

- Paul Palladino