There were times, during Wayne Odesnik’s year-long drug suspension, when he wondered whether his tennis career was over, whether he would ever win a tournament or reach the top 100 in the world rankings again.

He had some awfully lonely days, knowing the climb back would be grueling and that some players might never treat him the same after he pleaded guilty to carrying eight vials of human growth hormone into Australia in January 2010.

In retrospect, the 26-year-old Weston resident said his ordeal taught him “an all-around life lesson,” and he believes he came out of it a better tennis player and, more important, a better person. Odesnik is back up to No. 107 in the world rankings after being unranked a year ago. He won a title and $5,000 last week in Colombia on the second-tier Challenger Tour, and Wednesday night was playing a second-round match against Boca Raton’s Jesse Levine at the $100,000 Dallas Challenger, which pays $14,400 to the winner.

Step by step, he plans to get back to — and maybe surpass — the days when he was ranked as high as No. 77 and reached the third round of the 2009 French Open.

“Everything I went through humbled me and made me mature so much,” Odesnik said by phone Tuesday. “I realized I took a lot of things and people for granted, and I was kind of selfish. I’ve changed that. I have a much better relationship with my parents now, and my brother and sister-in-law, and the people I realized are my real friends.

“You learn who’s there for you through good and bad, and I’ll never forget that.”

His on-court support has come from coaches Guillermo Canas and Juan Pablo Sangalli, both Argentines who played on tour. Canas can empathize with Odesnik’s situation because he was suspended in 2005 for taking a banned diuretic, pleaded not guilty and was later pardoned.

“I appreciate the sport so much more now, and I’m working hard to get more out of myself,” Odesnik said. “To go from no points to No. 107 in a year is a great accomplishment and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Odesnik recently signed a sponsorship deal with Dania Beach-based Genesis, a string manufacturer and tennis apparel provider. Odesnik, who is Jewish, plans to start a foundation this year to offer financial aid and guidance for young Jewish players who are in need.

Although some players still give him the cold shoulder, Odesnik said most are friendly and have congratulated him on his comeback.

“I was never too friendly with guys away from the court, anyway, because I keep my private life and tennis career separate,” he said. “But I think most guys can appreciate the hard work I’ve put in and I hope they respect me for that.”

Star-studded field

The 2012 Sony Ericsson Open player fields were announced Wednesday, and the event will feature the top-78-ranked men and the top-76-ranked women in the world.

The tournament’s field includes No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki.

The tournament is at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park from March 13 through April 1.

To purchase tickets, call 305-442-3367 or go online to www.sonyericssonopen.com.