Markéta Vondroušová suspended for 4 years after refusing doping test

2023 Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová has been suspended for four years after refusing a doping test in early December 2025.

An independent tribunal gave Vondroušová, who has a career-high ranking of world No. 6, the maximum penalty for the offence. The 26-year-old Czech did not submit a sample when notified by a Doping Control Officer (DCO) during an out-of-competition test attempt at her home at around 8 p.m. on December 3, 2025.

Vondroušová was charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which oversees anti-doping in tennis, in February. Vondroušová issued a statement on Instagram in April, detailing how the random visit from a doping control official, outside of her one-hour whereabouts slot for testing, caused an “acute stress reaction” which, she said, prevented her from thinking clearly.

During an independent tribunal convened by the ITIA, Vondroušová presented explanations that stress and poor mental health had affected her decision making, in addition to concerns for her safety.

But the ITIA announced in a news release Monday that the tribunal concluded that the evidence offered “no compelling justification” for the test refusal.

ITIA chief executive 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.”

The player, the ITIA, and the player’s national anti-doping organization have a right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The player’s lawyer, Dr Jan Exner, said via text message: “We will review the written reasons and decide on our next course of action. First, we must consult with Markéta; I do not want to speculate on further steps at this moment.”

The full written decision will be issued in “due course,” the ITIA said. As with all ITIA cases, Vondroušová will have access to independent and confidential wellbeing support through the organization’s player support programme.

In her Instagram statement in April, Vondroušová said that: “The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress.

“When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol — I reacted as a person who felt scared. In that moment, it was about feeling safe, not about avoiding anything.

“Experts confirmed I suffered an Acute Stress Reaction (F43.O) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (F41.1). In that moment, fear clouded my judgment and i just couldn’t process the situation rationally. After what happened to Petra (Kvitová, the fellow Czech Wimbledon champion who was stabbed in her own home 10 years ago), we don’t take strangers at our door lightly.”

Tennis’ whereabouts rules require players to give a location and time slot when they can be tested for each day of the year. Refusing one, or failing to update whereabouts three times within 12 months, can lead to a player being sanctioned.

In Vondroušová’s case, the tester arrived outside of the testing window she had given, and, she said, also failed to identify themselves. In addition to their whereabouts submissions, players can also be randomly tested at any time according to the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

“Unpredictable testing is an essential tool to protect clean sport,” Moorhouse said Monday.

“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.”

The World Anti-Doping (WADA) Code states that the ITIA has to test outside of the hour a certain number of times, an ITIA spokesperson said via text message in April. WADA spokesperson James Fitzgerald said via email last year: “The point of out-of-competition testing is that it is a surprise. Sample collection can take place outside the times given (within certain parameters that respect reasonable access and privacy concerns).”

Vondroušová’s suspension will end on 21 June 2030. While suspended, she is not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association.

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