Wayne Odesnik

Wayne Odesnik is a South African-born American retired professional tennis player who achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 77. He won a combined 14 singles titles in ATP Challenger and ITF Men's Circuit events.

He is also known for a two-year suspension in 2010 for importing a banned substance and a lifetime ban in 2015 for a second doping violation.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Wayne Odesnik was born on November 21, 1985, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He stands 180 cm tall, and he plays left-handed with a two-handed backhand. He and his family emigrated from South Africa to the United States when he was three years old, and he later became an American citizen. He currently resides in Weston, Florida.

His father, Harold, is a jeweler, and his mother, Janice, is a former South African competitive gymnast who is now a computer coordinator. His grandmother, Sylvia, was a professional ice skater.

Professional Career

Odesnik turned professional in 2004. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 77 in April 2009. He won a combined 14 singles titles in ATP Challenger and ITF Men's Circuit events. Among his biggest singles upsets were a 2007 win over Ivan Ljubičić and a 2009 win against Igor Kunitsyn. His best Grand Slam singles result was reaching the third round of the French Open in 2008.

In March 2010, Odesnik pleaded guilty to importing human growth hormone into Australia and was initially banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation.

The ban was later reduced to one year because he provided "substantial assistance" to the federation's anti-doping program. In March 2015, he was handed a 15-year ban after a second doping violation for testing positive for anabolic agents and peptides, which effectively ended his professional tennis career.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 41–58
• Career titles: 0
• Highest ranking: No. 77 (April 13, 2009)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – 2R (2010)
• French Open – 3R (2008)
• Wimbledon – 1R (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013)
• US Open – 2R (2007, 2008)

Doubles

• Career record: 4–3
• Career titles: 0
• Highest ranking: No. 393 (May 12, 2008)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Wimbledon – Q1 (2013)
• US Open – 1R (2009)