WTA stars rally behind former Wimbledon champ after four-year ban for refusing doping test

The 2023 Wimbledon winner has been banned for four years after she refused to submit a sample to a doping control officer during an out-of-competition test attempt at her home last December.

Vondrousova claimed concerns for her safety as well as stress and poor mental health contributed to her decision not to open the door to the official, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) have thrown the book at her for refusing to submit a sample.

Following a hearing, an independent tribunal found that the evidence offered by the Czech player had "no compelling justification" for the test refusal.

The former world No 6 posted a lengthy statement on social media following the ITIA announcement, writing that she has never failed a dope test adding: "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. The past seven months have been the hardest of my life. Seven months of waiting."

Dozens of WTA players posted emojis of love and heartbreak in response while some added a comment with Sorana Cirstea writing: "I can't believe this. We are with you."

Eva Lys wrote on X: "This is COMPLETELY insane. Sending so much love to Marketa..."

The Guardian reported that rather than Vondrousova simply refusing to let an official into her home, she also signed a form to say she refused to take the test and then went out to walk her dog.

ITIA Senior Director of Anti-Doping Nicole Sapstead stated: "It was a single female doping-control officer. The player signed the refusal form outside. She left her apartment to walk her dog and made it clear to the doping control officer that she was refusing a test. The doping control officer asked her to sign the form to indicate as much.

"We ask our doping control officers to be as clear as possible when they're engaging with players. It's not for them to tell a player where a sanction may lay, or if they choose to refuse.

"But what we do say is: 'Please make it very clear that there are consequences, some significant consequences, if that individual refuses.' So yes, that was made very clear to the player. It was very clear that the player did not wish to engage with the process." 

READ MORE: Angry tennis star Marketa Vondrousova responds to hefty doping ban