SCOTS tennis star Andy Murray has defended a "bye bye, good riddance" statement after fellow professional Wayne Odesnik received a 15-year doping ban.
Odesnik, 29, tested positive for several banned substances, including steroids, in December and January.
The American, ranked 267th in the world, announced his retirement within minutes of his ban becoming public.
Andy Murray was among those who condemned the star on Twitter saying: "Bye bye Wayne... Good riddance".
He was challenged over his comment by US-based tennis management agency ProTenn Global who said: "I guess you're entitled to your opinion and I dont know Wayne but what an unprofessional and classless thing to say."
The Dunblane tennis ace responded: "Sorry but I don't think people who cheat and do it repeatedly deserve respect..what is your opinion on the situation?"
He later questioned why he should get a sentence cut for giving information about doping to the authorities.
The management agency responded: "Guess its ok to hit someone when they are down huh. Hope you stay clean Andy or at least not get caught."
Murray later retweeted a statement saying: "Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right"
Odesnik was previously sanctioned in 2010 for possession of human growth hormone but he denied ever taking the performance-enhancing drug.
The player's original two-year ban was later reduced to 12 months after the ITF said the player had co-operated fully with investigations.
Murray said: "No one is mad about him giving names or any information with regards to doping but why should get your sentenc reduced for giving information?"
Former tennis star Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion and a former world number one also welcomed the decision.
The American, who is now retired, tweeted: "My feelings are that he's a douchebag and I hate that he has a US flag next to his name when he's cheating. Good riddance."
Odesnik's best result at a Grand Slam came in 2008, when he reached the third round of the French Open.
It was confirmed on Wednesday, in a joint statement from the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme and the United States Anti-Doping Agency, that prohibited substances had been found in failed out-of-competition tests Odesnik was subjected to in December 2014 and January 2015.
The statement read: "Mr Odesnik's commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Article 2.1 of the Programme was confirmed, which was his second such violation, having been sanctioned in 2010 for the possession of human growth hormone.
"It was, therefore, determined that he is suspended from participation for a period of 15 years, back-dated to commence from 30 January 2015, and so ending at midnight on 29 January 2030.
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