Wimbledon champion gets a long ban just days before the tournament
A former Wimbledon champ has just been handed a four-year ban, only days before the 2026 tournament starts.
Marketa Vondrousova, who won Wimbledon’s women’s singles in 2023, was charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) last December after she didn’t let a doping official into her home.
The 26-year-old from the Czech Republic said she was at her “breaking point after months of physical and mental stress” when she refused the test. Players have to give their location for one hour a day so anti-doping officials can test them out of competition.
Vondrousova explained she felt scared when the official came to her door late at night without proper ID or following procedures. “It wasn’t about avoiding the test, it was about feeling safe,” she said on Instagram in April. She also shared that experts diagnosed her with Acute Stress Reaction and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Given the stabbing of fellow Czech and Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitová at her home years ago, she said people from their country don’t take strangers at the door lightly.
Still, a tribunal said Vondrousova didn’t have a good enough reason to refuse the test. Now, she’s banned until June 21, 2030, though she can appeal the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse said they know testing can be tough and stressful for players, but it’s key to keeping the sport fair. She reassured that testers are trained professionals who always match the player’s gender and carry ID, so players can check who they are if they’re unsure.
During her ban, Vondrousova won’t be allowed to play in, attend, or be involved with any events run by the main tennis organizations. Moorhouse reminded everyone that surprise testing is vital for clean sport and that refusing a test is a big risk.
Vondrousova’s lawyer, Dr. Jan Exner, said they’re looking over the full decision and will discuss next steps with her before making any moves.
Wimbledon kicks off on June 29 and runs through July 12.