Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been banned from tennis for four years by an independent tribunal for refusing an anti-doping test last December.
Vondrousova authored a fairytale victory at the All England Club in 2023 as she became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title, beating Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-4 in the final.
But the 26-year-old now faces a ban until June 21, 2030, having been charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for denying a doping control officer entry to her residence for a test on December 3, 2025.
Vondrousova has claimed she feared for her safety during the officer’s visit, and alleged they did not following protocol.
However, a tribunal ruled that the Czech had “no compelling justification” for refusing to take undergo the test. Vondrousova, who also attributed her decision making to poor mental health and stress, has the right to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The anti-doping rules state that the starting point for a sanction when a player refuses a test is the same as for a positive test.
ITIA CEO, Karen Moorhouse said in a statement: “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.
“Safety and welfare of players and our testers is really important to us. Our testers are well-trained, professional, and the gender of our testing witness always matches the player. They carry ID at all times, and players are able to verify their identity in other ways if they are ever unsure.
“Unpredictable testing is an essential tool to protect clean sport.
“The independent tribunal ultimately supported that principle. This case is an important reminder that players can be tested at any time, in any place, and that refusal comes with significant risk.”
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