Daniil Medvedev Gives Verdict on Marketa Vondrousova’s 4-Year Ban: “If Someone Wanted to Dope, They’d Find a Way”

Now, Daniil Medvedev has given his verdict on Marketa Vondrousova‘s doping controversy. The Czech ace refused an anti-doping test last December, resulting in a four-year ban from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Vondrousova refused the test because of mental health and safety reasons.

Wimbledon is underway, and Medvedev has secured a spot in the second round with a straight-set win over Marin Cilic. At the press conference after his win, he was asked about Vondrousova’s doping controversy.

Each case is different. They must all be studied individually. I think that if someone really wanted to dope, they would probably find a way. I also feel that many sanctioned players didn’t necessarily try to cheat.

She said she got scared when a stranger (doping control officer) came to her apartment around 8 pm and did not show her identity card. The 2023 Wimbledon champion believes she would have agreed to the test had the officer followed certain protocols.

When someone rings your doorbell for a check, it’s always a stressful moment. You check the time of your whereabouts, you wonder who’s behind the door… Doping controls are never easy to deal with. That’s all I can say.

Daniil Medvedev added

Vondrousova’s ban will end on June 21, 2020. She will turn 30 by then. The 26-year-old is thinking of approaching the CAS.

In 2024, two high-profile players tested positive for banned substances, but they were not given harsh punishments. Jannik Sinner tested positive for clostebol, while Iga Swiatek was contaminated by trimetazidine.

The Pole was given a one-month ban, while, in Sinner’s case, after much drama, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged ITIA’s verdict and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) before withdrawing the appeal. They handed Sinner a ban of just three months.

Daniil Medvedev believes Stefanos Tsitsipas can still win a Grand Slam title

Stefanos Tsitsipas has a huge task in the second round of Wimbledon because he will be up against none other than Novak Djokovic. Tsitsipas trails 2-12 in the head-to-head matchups against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

At present, Tsitsipas, a former World No. 3, is just a shadow of his former self. He last won a title at the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships, and this year, the only time he has made a deep run was at the Qatar Open. He reached the quarterfinals but lost to Andrey Rublev.

But in spite of his massive slump in form, he was backed by rival Daniil Medvedev to return to form and win a Grand Slam title.

I wouldn’t be surprised if, in two weeks, in a year, or in five years, he wins a Grand Slam or reaches the semi-finals again. He has an excellent serve, a huge forehand, a very good volley… I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he suddenly returns to his best level.

Daniil Medvedev said at the press conference

Medvedev could meet Tsitsipas if they both reach the quarterfinals. The 2021 US Open holds a 10-5 head-to-head record over the two-time Grand Slam finalist.

Medvedev, in the ongoing event, will lock horns with Daniel Merida in the second round. The Russian ace is a two-time semifinalist at SW19, reaching the stage in 2023 and 2024, while last year, his run ended in the first round. Medvedev has so far played three finals this year, winning in Brisbane and Dubai and losing in Indian Wells.

The Greek ace, on the other hand, has never progressed beyond the fourth round of the grass-court Major. He also suffered an opening-round exit last year.

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