2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was suspended for four years in December after refusing to submit a sample.
Published June 22, 2026
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was handed a four-year ban on Monday for refusing an anti-doping test.
Vondrousova was notified by doping inspectors last December when she attempted an out-of-competition test at home, but did not submit a sample.
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The 26-year-old Czech, who won Wimbledon in 2023, claimed safety concerns as well as “months of physical and mental stress” influenced her decision-making.
Vondrosova wrote on Instagram in April that she was scared when doping officials “came up to her door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following procedures.”
“What I felt in that moment wasn’t about avoiding something, it was about feeling safe.”
Players are required to record their whereabouts at an allotted time each day so that authorities can conduct anti-doping tests outside of competition.
The independent tribunal considered Vondrosova’s claims and the testimony of the doping control officer who attempted to carry out the test.
The tribunal concluded that the evidence “does not provide a convincing justification” for the world No. 122 player to refuse the test.
Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, said: “While we understand that the testing process can be unpleasant and an added burden on players whose jobs already involve high levels of pressure and scrutiny, testing is essential to protect fair competition.”
“The safety and welfare of our players and testers is extremely important to us. Our testers are well-trained and professional, and the gender of the test witness always matches the player.”
“They carry ID with them at all times, and players have other ways to identify themselves if they are unsure.”
Vondrosova’s suspension will end on June 21, 2030.
Vondrousova is considering an appeal.
During the period of suspension, Czech athletes may not play, coach or participate in any ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slam, or any event sponsored or sanctioned by their national association.
Vondrusova will consider the ruling and decide whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“Marcheta has asked me not to comment on this matter at this stage and I would like to respect her wishes,” Vondrosova’s lawyer Jan Exner told AFP.
“Essentially, once the verdict is out, we will read the explanation and decide whether to appeal or not and what further action we should take, but first we want to consult Marketa and we don’t want to speculate about further steps.
“I don’t want to go into details because I want to respect Marketa’s wishes.”
Vondrusova, a three-time WTA Tour singles champion, became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title when she defeated Ons Jabeur in straight sets in the final three years ago.
She also reached the French Open final in 2019, but lost to Ashleigh Barty, and went on to win the silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Vondrusova reached a career-high No. 6 in the WTA rankings in 2023.
He has played in just two matches on the WTA Tour this year, missing the Adelaide International Tournament in January due to a shoulder injury.
