Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been banned from playing tennis for four years after refusing a doping test.
The independent tribunal concluded there was “no compelling justification” for the 26-year-old Czech not to submit a sample when she was notified by doping control officers at her home outside the competition on the night of December 3, 2025.
Vondrosova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion and 2020 Olympic silver medalist, is prohibited from competing, coaching or attending any events organized or sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slams or any national association until June 21, 2030.
Karen Moorhouse, chief executive of the Tennis Integrity Agency (ATIA), said: “We understand that the testing process is inconvenient and that it is an additional burden on players whose jobs already require high levels of pressure and scrutiny. However, it is essential to protect fair competition.”
“Unpredictable testing is an essential tool to protect clean sport.
“The independent tribunal ultimately upheld that principle. This case is an important reminder that players can be tested anywhere, at any time, and that refusing carries significant risks.”
Vondrusova was banned from playing tennis for four years.
Vondrusova, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 in world singles in September 2023, claimed during the hearing that “stress and poor mental health affected her decision-making and she also had concerns about her safety,” according to an ATIA statement.
The statement continued: “The tribunal took this into account in its decision, as well as the testimony of the doping officer who attempted the test, and concluded that the evidence did not provide ‘compelling justification’ for refusing the test.”
Vondrousova, ATIA and the National Anti-Doping Organization have the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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