"You might as well put her in jail": Marketa Vondrousova not being able to watch boyfriend during ban slammed as 'ridiculous'

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 14:00

Marketa Vondrousova has seen her life turned upside down since she was banned from the sport for four years. She refused to take a doping test in December 2025 and this summer, it was announced that the former Wimbledon champion will serve a ban until June 2030.

The independent tribunal described the case as a 'very unfortunate matter', but Vondrousova offered 'no compelling justification' for a shorter suspension. She has opened up as of late at the issues that surround the ban including letting people know her whereabouts and also undergoing regular doping tests despite not being able to play.

Vondrousova also explained how the ban means she cannot train at her tennis club, attend tournaments to support her boyfriend who is also a professional tennis player.

"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. My boyfriend is also a professional tennis player, so tennis is naturally a big part of both our lives," said Vondrousova on Instagram.

Vondrousova is banned until 2030.

“But because of my ban, I can’t go to his tournaments to support him, not 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.

“Something that’s completely normal for everyone else has suddenly become impossible for me. I cried at the first tournament I traveled 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. And it’s moments like these that make you realize how much a ban affects not just your career, but also your personal life and the people closest to you.”

Vondrousova in tennis jail - Stubbs

Rennae Stubbs speaking on the latest episode of her podcast said that Vondrousova acted foolishly and that she straight up did wrong. But that the conditions including not even being able to hit at her club and support her boyfriend is almost like being in jail.

“Straight up, she f***** up. She put things out on text that she probably regrets; she didn’t handle things well. Do I think she is a performance enhancer? Absolutely not. In my opinion, there could not be a person further away doing anything like that. No chance.

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“Now she’s saying it’s really hard for her because she’s dating a tennis player; she can’t go and watch him, she has to stay in the hotel room; she can’t even go and support him. She can’t go to practice courts. She is not allowed to be on the grounds.

“She can not go to a tennis centre and hit tennis balls. I just think that’s ridiculous, I’m sorry. You might as well put her in jail. Come on, guys. What are we doing here?”

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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