Vondrousova Gets 4-Year Ban: Tribunal Rejects 'Stress Reaction' Defense

Marketa Vondrousova banned 4 years after refusing doping test

Vondrousova Doping Suspension: 2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova receives maximum 4-year penalty for missing a doping test. Independent tribunal found 'no compelling justification' for her refusal.

Vondrousova suspended until 2030 for missing doping test in December 2025...

Ex-Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova has been hit with a four-year suspension. The ban comes after she refused to take a doping test in December 2025.

An independent tribunal gave Vondrousova the maximum punishment despite her claim of an 'acute stress reaction' that affected her judgment. A Doping Control Officer showed up at 8pm on December 3rd, but she declined to provide a sample.

The ITIA formally charged the Czech player in April, and after a hearing the tribunal reached its verdict.

The tribunal announced today that the former world No. 6 had 'no compelling justification' for skipping the test.

“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,” they said

“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.”

Vondrousova can now appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS.

In April, Vondrousova took to Instagram to give her side of the story: “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 Generalised 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.”

An independent tribunal has suspended Czech tennis player Markéta Vondroušová for four years under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

The tribunal determined that the player provided "no compelling justification" for refusing a test in December 2025.

🔗 https://t.co/lVevnzW0Sh pic.twitter.com/Vk65FlQn9P

— International Tennis Integrity Agency (@itia_tennis) June 22, 2026

Vondrousova’s ban runs until June 21, 2030. During that time she’s barred from playing in, or even attending, any event run or approved by the ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slams, or national tennis associations.