Coco Gauff Reveals Tearful Doping Testing Experience Amid Marketa Vondrousova Ban Controversy: “Can’t Imagine What She’s Going Through”

Coco Gauff expressed sympathy for what Marketa Vondrousova is going through. The Czech ace, because she refused an anti-doping test in December last year, was handed a four-year ban by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

Vondrousova refused the test due to mental health and safety concerns. She said she suffers from severe anxiety, due to which she got scared when the doping control officer came to her home around 8 pm outside of her testing window for an out-of-competition test.

The former World No.6 revealed that the doping control officer admitted during the trial that she did not follow the protocols, such as showing her identity card. Because Vondrousova wanted the officer to leave her as soon as possible, she quickly signed the refusal form.

The independent tribunal that conducted the investigation did not buy her explanation. When ITIA announced the suspension, Vondrousova took to Instagram and wrote a lengthy, emotional message, insisting that she did not dope. Gauff was among several WTA players showing their support for the 2023 Wimbledon champion, dropping three heart emoticons in the comment section.

The American ace, at the press conference after her first-round win at Wimbledon, was asked about Vondrousova’s case. She also recounted one of her testing experiences.

Obviously, rules are rules, but it’s very tough to see a situation like that when you know a person who, from all you know about her, has always respected this sport. Every case is different. I have also experienced strange situations with doping controls and have made complaints about how certain things were handled. I have never refused to take a test; that has never happened.

Vondrousova claimed the ITIA wanted to prove how powerful they are after they faced heavy backlash for the way they handled Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek‘s doping cases.

They have tried to test me outside of the hours I had indicated, and when I could, I simply took the test. There was also a time when someone called me outside my testing window, and the way they spoke to me even made me cry. Later, I found out I was right, and I wasn’t obligated to take that test. I send all my love to Marketa. Four years is a long time. I can’t imagine what she’s going through right now.

Coco Gauff added

Vondrousova’s suspension will end on June 21, 2030. She is thinking of challenging ITIA’s verdict before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Iga Swiatek’s Wimbledon win changed Coco Gauff’s view about playing on grass

Coco Gauff is the winner of 11 singles titles from 16 finals. But she has never reached the final on grass. On Monday (June 29), Gauff defeated Tamara Korpatsch, registering her first win on the surface since the third round of the 2024 Wimbledon. Last year on the grass swing, she suffered opening-round exits in both Berlin and Wimbledon.

At the press conference after her first-round win, Gauff said Iga Swiatek’s victory in last year’s Wimbledon changed her perspective about her game on grass.

We have very similar grips, and that made me think that I, too, can play very well on this surface. Beyond that, I feel I need to improve my footwork, be more aggressive, and maintain the identity I am building. I am good at the net, I am fast, and now I am also much happier with my serve.

Swiatek, the winner of 10 clay-court titles, never reached a final on grass until last year’s Bad Homburg Open. Although she lost the title to Jessica Pegula, she reached the title clash at SW19 and double-bageled Amanda Anisimova.

Also read: Joao Fonseca Opens Up on the Characteristics of Rafael Nadal that Inspired His Career