“It affects so much more than not being able to play”: Marketa Vondrousova questions doping system as she details restrictions of four-year ban
WTA
Marketa Vondrousova has opened up about the impact of her four-year ban, explaining how the suspension has affected her personal relationships and prevented her from taking part in everyday activities connected to tennis.
The former Wimbledon champion said the restrictions extend well beyond missing tournaments, leaving her unable to practise at her tennis club or attend matches to support friends and loved ones.
The Czech player addressed the issue after sharing news of another doping test last week. Her post prompted questions about why she continues to be tested while serving a ban, with Vondrousova explaining that many people do not understand the obligations and restrictions that remain in place during a suspension.
Vondrousova said her anti-doping responsibilities have continued throughout the ban, including providing information about her whereabouts and remaining available for testing during a designated one-hour period every day. She also confirmed that all her tests so far have been negative, while stressing that another negative result alone does not change her current situation.
Beyond the testing requirements, Vondrousova described the emotional difficulty of being excluded from a sport that has shaped her entire life. With many of her friends involved in tennis and her boyfriend also a professional player, she explained how the suspension has affected her ability to maintain relationships and support those closest to her.
“It affects so much more than not being able to play”
Vondrousova explained that serving a four-year ban does not simply mean being unable to compete. She cannot practise at her tennis club or use its training facilities, while the restrictions also prevent her from attending tournaments as a spectator.
“But the ban doesn’t just affect my career. It also affects my personal life and relationships. Most of my friends are part of the tennis world, and suddenly I can’t even go and watch them play or support them the way I’ve always been used to.”
Marketa Vondrousova won the 2023 Wimbledon ladies title
The impact has been particularly difficult because her boyfriend is also a professional tennis player. Vondrousova said she continues to travel with him so they can spend as much time together as possible, but she cannot attend his tournaments, even as a regular spectator without accreditation.
“And because we want to spend as much time together as possible, I still travel with him. But while he’s playing, I’m sitting in a hotel room watching his matches on a screen, instead of being there by the court cheering him on.”
Vondrousova said the experience brought home the extent to which the ban has changed her life. Being close to a tournament without being able to enter the usual tennis environment has been especially painful, given how central the sport has been to her identity and relationships.
“Something that’s completely normal for everyone else has suddenly become impossible for me. I cried at the first tournament I travelled to with him after my ban. It was hard being so close to something that had been such a huge part of my entire life, but not being able to be part of it anymore.”
Vondrousova explains continued testing during ban
The Czech player also addressed the questions surrounding her continued obligations under the anti-doping system. Although she cannot compete, she must still submit whereabouts information and provide a specific one-hour time slot every day during which she is available for testing. Vondrousova said she continues to undergo tests throughout the suspension, a requirement that surprised many people who responded to her previous post.
“What surprised a lot of people even more is that my obligations under the anti-doping system haven’t stopped. I still have to submit my whereabouts, meaning information about where I am, and provide a specific one-hour time slot every single day when I’m available for testing. And I continue to be tested, even though I’m not competing.”
After her latest test, Vondrousova noticed reports suggesting that another negative result could help her case. She moved to clarify that she has already been tested regularly throughout the period, including while serving her ban, and said the results have consistently been negative. She stressed, however, that another negative test does not by itself change her position.
“I’ve been tested regularly throughout this entire period, including during my ban, and all of my tests so far have been negative. Another negative test result on its own doesn’t change my situation.”
Vondrousova also expressed frustration with the way she has been discussed by some people in tennis. She said being labelled a “doper” and hearing comments suggesting she looks as though she has been smoking weed have added to the difficulty of the situation, particularly when such remarks are made without considering their personal consequences.
“That’s also why it’s so hard to read people calling me a ‘doper’, or to hear people from the tennis world saying I look like I’ve been smoking weed somewhere. I find it sad how easily people say things like that without thinking about how much their words can affect the person they’re talking about.”
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Vondrousova said she shared the statement to answer the questions she had received and give people a clearer understanding of what a four-year ban entails. Her central point was that the consequences extend beyond the inability to play, affecting personal relationships and access to the sport while anti-doping obligations remain in force.
“Because a four-year ban isn’t just about not being able to play tennis for four years. It affects so much more of your life than most people probably realize," the former world No. 6 added. "And while the system restricts you from being part of the sport you’ve dedicated your whole life to, your obligations to that same system continue.”
She ended by thanking those who have continued to support her during the suspension, saying their support means a great deal to her.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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