Wayne's (Tilted) World: Odesnik stars in TV ad

The chorus of detractors was deafening when ATP pro Wayne Odesnik returned to the tour in August 2011. That followed a one-year suspension relating to the performance-enhancing drug HGH, a growth hormone, found in his baggage when he entered Australia for last year's Aussie Open. Loudest among the naysayers were his fellow Americans—Odesnik was born in South Africa—including Sam Querrey and James Blake, who were not understanding toward their makeshift compatriot.

And yet. Odesnik stars in a new commercial for string maker Genesis:

The Spin would like to have been a fly on the wall in the marketing meeting where it was determined that this player should represent the brand. To take up with Odesnik is to traffic in the controversial.

So ends the ad: "Now you can play like you mean it!"

Odesnik might go quite a few steps further: Just tell the truth.

—Jonathan Scott (Find me on Twitter @jonscott9.)