I find it incredible that Odensik is playing this tournament and just as incredible that you don't mention he pleaded guilt to possession of a ped a few days ago. Apparently nobody in tennis cares about the players doing drugs - full speed ahead everyone...

I did at first...but ultimately decided it lay outside of the scope of what I'm covering in Houston. I haven't been commissioned to address the matter, and frankly, it's one that I (personally) do not feel comfortable with, nor qualified to address.

I think it should be addressed, as it is most likely a critical factor in all of Odesnik's upcoming matches (chances are good he won't last more than one).

Until the ITF finds Odesnik guilty (or should i say IF they find him guilty) he is free to play, so he is in Houston. He has a ton of points to defend. For now, the ITF hasn't even heard his case.

Odesnik practiced on Saturday and said he will not address anything related to drugs. So if he gets asked a question about it at a presser, he isn't answering.

But it has to be weighing on him. Janowicz is probably the worst player in the field, but I still think Wayne has a chance of losing.

He has pleaded guilty to possession of HGH, a ped, and possession of a PED is sufficient for a ban under WADA rules. I can't for the life of me see why that isn't enough to suspend him during the investigation - if players test positive, whatever their denial, they are suspended while the investigation proceeds under current WADA rules. (See Gasquet last year.)
"Outside the scope" of what journalists are covering about this tournament or journalists aren't "comfortable" with addressing it - I'm lost for words. Tennis is indeed in bad shape when that's the case.

texastennis - it IS enough for him to be suspended. He will be when the ITF hears it. But there is no reason why he can't play Houston if he has only pleaded guilty in some random Australian court.

Odesnik better get all the tennis in he can now, because once the ATP finishes their "investigation", it's all over for Odesnik. He's not important enough for anyone to make an effort for him. he's toast.

RicjyDimon. I know that and I know - as the ITF does that he has pled guilty in a court of law (Australia has a credible legal system so the "random" court is of no relevance), so I can't see why the IFT - evidence equivalent to a positive test in hand - doesn't suspend while they investigate (and presumably I judge the fact he is going on playing that he is intending to give them so my dog ate the homework
excuse). His behavior has met the standard for a suspension. He's not only not suspended, he's playing, and a journalist covering the tournament for this site doesn't think that's anything that a tennis journalist can or should mention - either the fact of his behavior or why he is able to play when his guilty plea for a very hot potato ped (hgh) was covered very widely in the press. Astonishing and appalling on too many levels to count...

texastennis - if you have a problem with Kelli not addressing the issue, then perhaps you should email her. She probably has a good reason.

Dont come to me about it.

I do. My inbox is always open for business here, though- kelli@tennistalk.com

Just for the record, the ATP is investigating the case, not the ITF.

"texastennis - if you have a problem with Kelli not addressing the issue, then perhaps you should email her. She probably has a good reason.

Dont come to me about it."

That last line's a tad rich, Ricky: you addressed texastennis at 3:38am, so wh not expect a dialogue? texastennis raised the issue before you added any line of your own in the first place.

And as for Kelli's story in the first place, I'd expect at least something along the lnes of "Odesnik puts drug issue to one side to play", if not "It will be interesting to see if his recent drugs woes reflect on his tennis/the fans' reaction this week".

There's a problem here. There is no good reason for not taking even half a sentence to report on the Odesnik issue when you have an open-court opportunity to do so here today. TT does itself no favours by (i) keeping COMPLETELY schtum about one of the most important stories to hit our sport in a while and (ii) talking down to texastennis in the circumstances of the posting history that I read above.

A pity.

I think the problem is obvious. Tennis "journalists" are more or less tennis promoters. They essentially work for tennis. There is no money in speaking the truth. The proof is right here. Performance enhancing drugs are an obvious problem in tennis, but they won't even address it when a player is caught red-handed. Looking above, it should be clear that the message to "journalists" working on this site is: "Promote the Houston event."

Gorafago: thank you on both score.

Cheryl - it is not the ATP doing the offifical ivestigation. The ATP does not handle drugtesting. The ITF manages drug testing for all of pro tennis. Here is the link:

http://www.itftennis.com/antidoping/

i have no problem whatsoever discussing the Odesnik case

gorafago - you missed the point of that comment. I will gladly discuss Odesnik with texastennis. What I said is that texastennis should not come to me if he has a problem with Kelli.

deleted

Rd - I didn 't come to you at all. I commented in the comment section on an article
Ms Demario wrote. She replied in the comment section of her article. You joined in - I responded to you in that context.
(And I'm a she ....)

haha deleted. i wonder if that cuz i got it right or cuz you're ashamed for doing wayno.

was wayno any good kelli? rate it from 1 to 10

texastennis - fair enough. But like I said, I will readily cover/discuss/analyze/whatever the Odesnik situation with anyone who wants to.

Actually, texas, an article was written on it on 3/27 by Johan Lindal in which Roddick talked about it so TT has not avoided it completely. Not many people posted replies to that article tho.

Yes I saw that, fan4tennis. My comment here was on the reporting of Odesnik playing Houston this week with no comment on his guilty plea ped situation.

Whatever you dedicated to me trixxyfest, I didn't see it. The post was removed by one of the admins.

For further discussion about the Wayne Odesnik situation, please read Cheryl's brand new blog, located here-

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Cheryl_Murray/20100405/Why_ Wayne_Odesnik_is_public_enemy_No._1_right_now