Former Wimbledon women¡¯s ?champion Marketa Vondrousova has been given a four-year suspension for refusing an anti-doping test in December, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said on Monday.
Her suspension will end on June 21, 2030, when ?the two-time Grand Slam finalist from the Czech Republic ?will be ?30 years old.
The ITIA said in a ?statement that Vondrousova did not submit a sample when notified by a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test attempt ?at her home at around 8 p.m. on Dec.?3.
Vondrousova said during ?a hearing that stress, poor mental health and concerns for her safety had affected her decision making ?when she refused to ?submit a sample.
However, the tribunal concluded that the evidence offered ¡°no compelling justification¡± for the test ?refusal, the ITIA ?added.
Vondrousova ?wrote on Instagram that she had never doped, ?and that ?a dope test taken three days after the Dec. 3 incident came back negative.
¡°I have never had a positive test. Throughout my entire career, I have undergone ?countless anti-doping controls and have always stepped on to the court with a clear conscience,¡± she wrote.
¡°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.¡±
Vondrousova¡¯s ?lawyer Jan Exner said by email that they would ?review the written reasons for Vondrousova¡¯s 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 added.
Former world No. 6?Vondrousova has not competed since pulling out of the Adelaide International in January due to a shoulder injury.?
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.