Andy Murray has praised the 15-year ban from tennis for convicted drug cheat Wayne Odesnik, saying the South African-born American twice caught with banned substances had no place in the sport.
"I think probably deserved, as well. I think it's a good thing," World No.4 Murray said after reaching the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Masters over Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-3.
Odesnik copped the ban after being found guilty of a second doping violation, which came five years after his first, anti-doping authorities confirmed earlier on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).
"After what happened the last time, whatever story you believe, the one that was given, I don't believe at all. I think it's good for tennis to get him off the tour and away from the tour, because we don't want that being part of the tour," said the Scot.
World No.267 Odesnik is now out of the sport for good after being found positive for a list of prohibited substances: metabolites of methenolone; metabolites of androst-(2,3)-en-17-one; and GHRP-6.
A report from international authorities on the ban said the 29-year-old, who had been banned for two years - only serving one - for importing illegal human growth hormone into Australia in 2010, tested positive during an out-of-competition visit in December.
The disgraced Odesnik, who competed in only four Challenger and qualifying matches in 2015, will have his recent results from the Happy Valley Challenger, Australian Open qualifying and Maui Challenger erased and he will have to return his prize money.
"It (cheating) looks bad on everyone else," said Murray.
"Anti-doping controls have gotten stricter, I believe, over the last few years. I would say we're doing a lot more than what we were."
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