Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been suspended for four years after refusing to provide a sample during an out-of-competition anti-doping test, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Monday.
The ban will run until June 21, 2030, sidelining the Czech player through what would typically be the prime years of her career.
According to the ITIA, Vondrousova declined to submit a sample when approached by a doping control officer at her home during an out-of-competition testing attempt on Dec. 3.
The agency said the test was conducted at approximately 8 p.m. and that the player’s refusal constituted a violation of tennis’ anti-doping regulations.
Vondrousova argued during tribunal proceedings that stress, poor mental health and concerns for her personal safety had influenced her decision-making on the night of the test.
However, the independent tribunal rejected those explanations as grounds for refusing testing.
“The evidence offered no compelling justification for the test refusal,” the ITIA said in a statement.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification is treated as a serious anti-doping rule violation and can carry a four-year suspension.
The sanction represents a dramatic fall for Vondrousova, who became the first unseeded woman to win Wimbledon when she captured the title in 2023. She also reached two Grand Slam finals during her career and climbed as high as world number six.
The 30-year-old has not competed since withdrawing from the Adelaide International in January because of a shoulder injury.
Her suspension takes immediate effect and will keep her out of professional competition until mid-2030.
