On Air Now

After Hours

Midnight - 2:00am

Now Playing

Starbuck

Moonlight Feels Right

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova given four-year suspension for refusing drug test

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been handed a four-year suspension after she refused an anti-doping test.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the suspension on Monday after Vondrousova refused the test in December and an independent tribunal reached the decision.

The 26-year-old Czech player said her decision to turn down the test stemmed from "mental stress" and fear when the testing agent "rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves".

The ban expires on 21 June 2030 and Vondrousova has the option to appeal the decision to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The two-time Grand Slam finalist will be 30 years old when the suspension expires.

Vondrousova, who won Wimbledon in 2023, reached a career-high ranking of number six that year.

ITIA said Vondrousova did not submit a sample when notified by a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test attempt at her home on 3 December at about 8pm.

The tribunal concluded that the evidence offered "no compelling justification" for the test refusal, the ITIA said.

Vondrousova gave insight into the reasons for the missed test in an Instagram post in April.

"It is very tough for me to talk about this, but I want to be transparent with you about my mental health," Vondrousova said.

"The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress."

Read more from Sky News:
Three killed in Philippines school shooting

Scores of Ukrainian drones target Moscow

Vondrousova's lawyer Jan Exner said her team would review the written reasons for the suspension before deciding their next course of action.

"First, we must consult with Marketa; I do not want to speculate on further steps at this moment," he said.

Former world number six Vondrousova has not competed since pulling out of the Adelaide International in January due to a shoulder injury.

Her suspension comes ahead of the beginning of the Wimbledon grand slam next week.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova given four-year suspension for refusing drug tes

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from World

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Tuesday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.

  • Music Mix

    10:00am - 11:00am

    Roch Valley Radio is with you 24/7 with our great mix of music!

  • Phil Salter's Tuesday Lunchtime Jukebox

    11:00am - 2:00pm

    here every Tuesday for 3 hours of classic tunes from the last 6 decades - it’s all random on the Jukebox and you can join in too.