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(April 19, 2010) Wayne Odesnik won't be playing tournament tennis while his case for importing HGH is under investigation.

Odesnik has accepted a "voluntary provisional suspension" after admitting importing HGH into Australia, the ITF announced today.

The 111th-ranked Odesnik's suspension will run until his case, which is now being investigated by the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, is resolved with a decision rendered by the  independent tribunal.

The provisional suspension means Odesnik cannot play in ATP, ITF or Grand Slam tournaments.

Odesnik pleaded guilty to importing eight vials of HGH (each vial contained six milligrams of HGH) into Australia in January, but denies he has ever used HGH.

In a statement issued through his Florida-based attorney, Christopher Lyons, earlier this month Odesnik said he is cooperating with the International Tennis Federation's investigation.

"The ITF are presently conducting an investigation of me regarding my possession of HGH while in Australia earlier this year," Odesnik said in a statement. "I have never used nor taken HGH, or any other banned substance in my life. I am fully co-operating with their investigation and I will have no further comment on the matter until it is concluded."

Odesnik played the US Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston earlier this month, reaching the semifinals before bowing to Sam Querrey. The ITF said then that since Odesnik had not been found guilty of using HGH, he was permitted to continue playing.


"Odesnik has not as yet been found guilty of a doping offense under the rules of the TADP (Tennis Anti-Doping Program) and therefore is allowed to play," the ITF said in a statement issued during the Houston event. "In order not to prejudice the player's ability to defend himself in his criminal case, the TADP decided to await the outcome of those proceedings rather than run concurrently, but began the process immediately once the decision of the Australian Court was taken."

Now, Odesnik will sit on the sidelines while his case is resolved.

"In accordance with normal policy, the ITF does not intend to make further comment on this matter until its resolution," the ITF announced. 
 
The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme is a drug-testing program that applies to all players competing at tournaments sanctioned by the ITF, ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Players are tested for substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and upon a finding that a Doping Offence has been committed, sanctions are imposed in accordance with the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code.


 

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