Marketa Vondrousova, who made history as the first unseeded player to claim the Wimbledon women’s singles crown in 2023, has received a four-year suspension from professional tennis.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency announced on Monday that an independent tribunal handed the 26-year-old Czech the maximum penalty for declining to provide a sample during an out-of-competition test.
The incident occurred on 3 December 2025 when a doping control officer visited Vondrousova’s residence at approximately 8pm.
Under anti-doping regulations, refusing a test carries the same sanction as returning a positive result, ensuring athletes cannot avoid longer bans by simply declining to be tested.
Marketa Vondrousova has received a four-year suspension from professional tennis
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Vondrousova denied the officer entry to her home, later describing the visit as a “serious intrusion into my privacy” in an Instagram story.
In April, the Olympic silver medallist issued a further statement explaining she had reached “breaking point” and felt “scared” when someone rang her doorbell “late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol”.
The former world number six maintained she was not attempting to evade testing but rather protecting herself.
She also revealed that medical experts had diagnosed her with Acute Stress Reaction and Generalised Anxiety Disorder, conditions she said impaired her ability to think rationally during the encounter.
ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse acknowledged the difficulties athletes face with the testing regime while defending its necessity.
“We understand that the testing process is uncomfortable, and acknowledge that it is an additional burden for players whose jobs already come with a high level of pressure and scrutiny, but it is essential to protect fair competition,” she said.
Vondrousova explained that her refusal stemmed from fear about opening her door to an unknown individual late in the evening | REUTERS
Moorhouse emphasised that testers carry identification at all times and that players can verify their credentials through alternative means if uncertain.
“Unpredictable testing is an essential tool to protect clean sport. The independent tribunal ultimately supported that principle,” she added. “This case is an important reminder that players can be tested at any time, in any place, and that refusal comes with significant risk.”
Despite Vondrousova’s testimony about stress, mental health struggles, and safety concerns affecting her judgement, the tribunal determined her evidence provided “no compelling justification” for refusing the test.
The doping control officer who attempted to conduct the test also gave evidence during the hearing.
Vondrousova’s ban will conclude on 21 June 2030, with a comprehensive written ruling to follow “in due course”.
The player, the ITIA, and the Czech national anti-doping organisation each retain the right to challenge the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The ITIA confirmed that “independent and confidential wellbeing support” would be offered to the former champion.
