Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova suspended four years

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was banned from professional tennis for four years after refusing to provide a doping sample during a late-night test conducted in December 2025. The suspension, upheld by an independent tribunal, underscores the strict enforcement of anti-doping rules despite the player's claims of mental stress and safety concerns, and bars her from all ITIA-sanctioned events until 2030.

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been suspended from professional tennis for four years after refusing to comply with an anti-doping test, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Monday. The 26-year-old Czech player, who won the 2023 Wimbledon singles title and reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 the same year, declined to submit a sample following a late-night visit from a doping control officer at her home on December 3, 2025.

Vondrousova cited mental stress and concerns for her safety as reasons for her refusal, stating that the tester did not properly identify themselves when ringing her doorbell late at night. During the tribunal hearing held this month, she argued that stress and poor mental health impacted her decision-making. However, an independent tribunal determined that there was “no compelling justification” for her refusal to provide the sample and imposed the maximum four-year ban, effective until June 21, 2030. The ban prohibits her from playing, coaching, or attending any events sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slams, or national tennis organizations.

Karen Moorhouse, chief of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, acknowledged that although the testing process can be uncomfortable and adds to players’ pressure, unpredictable testing is vital to maintaining fair competition and protecting clean sport. “The independent tribunal ultimately supported that principle,” Moorhouse said, emphasizing that players must be prepared for testing at any time and location and that refusal carries significant consequences.

Vondrousova’s suspension follows other recent doping-related penalties for tennis players, including Grand Slam champions Simona Halep, Jannik Sinner, and Iga Swiatek. Since January 2026, Vondrousova, currently ranked 122nd, has not competed in any tournaments.

The player maintains her innocence, posting on social media in April that she has never tested positive for any prohibited substance and denies doping. Both Vondrousova and the ITIA have the right to appeal the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The tribunal’s findings were based in part on testimony from the doping control officer involved.

This case highlights ongoing challenges in balancing athlete welfare and the integrity of anti-doping regulations in professional tennis.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.