Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, has been handed a four-year ban from professional tennis after refusing to submit to a doping test in December 2025. The decision was announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Monday, June 22, 2026.
Details of the case
According to the ITIA, Vondrousova was requested to provide a urine sample during an out-of-competition test on December 15, 2025. She refused to comply and subsequently failed to provide a valid explanation for her refusal. Under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, a refusal to submit to sample collection is treated as an anti-doping rule violation.
The 26-year-old Czech player has denied any wrongdoing but did not contest the charge. The ITIA confirmed that the ban takes effect immediately, and Vondrousova will be ineligible to compete in any sanctioned tennis events until June 2030.
Impact on her career
Vondrousova rose to prominence after winning the women's singles title at Wimbledon in 2023, defeating Ons Jabeur in the final. She was the first unseeded player to win the tournament in the Open era. The ban effectively ends her prime years and may severely damage her legacy.
The ITIA stated that the four-year ban is standard for such violations under the World Anti-Doping Code. Vondrousova has the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days.
