Patrick McEnroe Thinks Marketa Vondrousova’s 4-Year Ban Due to Anti-Doping Test Refusal is ‘Way Too Harsh’

Marketa Vondrousova refused an anti-doping test on December 4 last year, due to which the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) handed her a four-year ban. Vondrousova refused the test due to mental health and for safety reasons because the Doping Control Officer (DCO) came to her home at around 8 p.m. 

But the independent tribunal that conducted the investigation stated that the former World No.6’s explanation had no “compelling justification”. Also, the reason behind her getting a four-year ban is due to the fact that those who refuse a drug test and those who test positive receive the same punishment according to the rule book. But Patrick McEnroe thinks a ban of four years is way too extreme. He told Tennis Now:

Four years is ridiculous. I mean, that’s way too harsh. I mean, two I could see. Even that to me would be harsh. One year, okay, you’re going to get it. But four years, really? I’m sure she’s appealing it. She should get punished, but four years is way too extreme.

Because of Vondrousova’s case, Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek‘s doping cases also resurfaced. Both top players failed drug tests in 2024 but didn’t face harsh punishment.

Sinner tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol, while Swiatek was contaminated with trimetazidine, a banned heart medication. Because they provided the source of contamination before the deadline, the ITIA accepted their explanation and did not ban Sinner (he faced a two-month provisional suspension). Swiatek faced just a one-month suspension.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged ITIA’s verdict and was adamant that Sinner receive a ban of between one and two years. But after the Australian Open, WADA announced that they had withdrawn their appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and handed the 24-year-old a ban of just three months.

Marketa Vondrousova says she has never doped

Marketa Vondrousova clinched her career’s first Grand Slam title at the 2023 Wimbledon by defeating Ons Jabeur. But physical setbacks and now the four-year ban have derailed her career. After the ITIA announced her ban, the 26-year-old took to Instagram and insisted that she never doped.

I have never doped. I have never had a positive test. Throughout my entire career, I have undergone countless anti-doping controls and have always stepped onto the court with a clear conscience. Just three days after the incident that ultimately changed my life, I was tested again. The result was negative, just like every test before it.

Her lawyer, Jan Exner, said they would consider an appeal but did not elaborate.

I would not wish what I have been through over the past few months on anyone. Waking up every day with uncertainty, fear, and the feeling that you are losing control over your own life is something that is difficult to put into words. It has been an incredibly exhausting and painful period that affected me far more deeply than I could ever have imagined.

Marketa Vondrousova added

Because of her ban, Vondrousova will be prohibited from playing, coaching, or attending any tournaments sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association. Apart from the Wimbledon title, Vondrousova won two more singles titles. She also reached the French Open final in 2019 (lost to Ash Barty).

Vondrousova was last seen in action in this year’s Adelaide International. She reached the second round but was forced to hand the walkover to Kimberly Birrell. She then withdrew from the Australian Open as well as the Open de Rouen. Vondrousova last won a title at the 2025 Berlin Open by defeating Wang Xinyu.

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