Miami, June 22: Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been suspended for four years after refusing to provide a sample during an out-of-competition anti-doping test. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the decision on Monday.
The 26-year-old Czech star won the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 2023. However, she failed to submit a sample to a doping control officer at her home in December 2025. Vondrousova claimed that she was under significant stress, facing serious mental health issues, and feared for her safety and that of her family. An independent tribunal considered her claims and heard from the doping control officer.
The ITIA ruled that there was no valid reason for Vondrousova’s actions, extending her provisional ban until June 21, 2030. Currently ranked World No. 122, this suspension will prevent her from participating in a significant portion of her career.
ITIA’s Chief Executive Karen Moorhouse stated, “We understand that the testing process can be uncomfortable and may add extra pressure on players who are already facing scrutiny. However, it is essential to protect our sport from the threat of cheating. We take the safety and well-being of both players and testing staff seriously. Testers are highly professional and carry ID at all times.”
In all cases where testers report that they do not know the player, they ensure that the gender of their witnesses matches that of the player. Players also have the right to check the tester’s credentials, verify their identity, and request additional proof of ID.
She added, “Testing procedures at players’ homes always respect athletes’ privacy and property, as required by the effective national laws of the jurisdiction where testing is taking place. We recognize that such processes can present challenges for players, and we will continue to provide support and work with athletes to ensure the best possible testing experience whenever feasible.”
In 2023, Vondrousova became the first unseeded player in history to win the women’s singles title at Wimbledon. During her suspension, she is prohibited from participating, coaching, or being involved in any events organized or sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slam tournaments, or national tennis associations.
Vondrousova reached the finals of the French Open in 2019, where she lost to Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, and she won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 6 in 2023 and has claimed three WTA Tour singles titles.
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