An independent tribunal has suspended Czech tennis player Markéta Vondroušová for four years for refusing an anti-doping test in December 2025.
Vondroušová did not submit a sample when notified by a Doping Control Officer during an out-of-competition test attempt at her home at around 8pm on 3 December 2025. The officer arrived at 8:15pm, outside her whereabouts submission slot for the day, and demanded an immediate test, which Vondroušová described as a “serious intrusion into her privacy.”
Markéta Vondroušová defence
Vondroušová released a statement in April saying she had “reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress” and suffered an “acute stress reaction” which prevented her from thinking rationally. She also raised concerns for her safety, stating the doping officer approached her door late in the evening “without properly identifying themselves or following protocol,” and that “in that moment it was about feeling safe, not about avoiding anything.”
The Tribunal’s ruling
The independent tribunal considered her explanations as well as evidence from the doping control officer, and determined there was “no compelling justification” for her refusal. Under anti-doping rules, the starting point for a sanction when a player refuses a test must be the same as if they had tested positive, to ensure that anyone who is doping cannot serve a shorter ban simply by refusing.
Vondroušová faces grave consequences
Her suspension will end on 21 June 2030, when she will be 30 years old. While suspended, Vondroušová 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.
What’s next?
Vondroušová will consider the verdict before deciding whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Her lawyer Jan Exner stated they will read the full written decision before deciding on further action.
Vondroušová became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title when she defeated Ons Jabeur in straight sets in 2023. She also reached the French Open final in 2019 and earned a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
