Following Monday’s verdict by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and four-year ban, Czech tennis player Markéta Vondroušová denied ever doping.
The past period affected her more than she could have imagined. She wrote it on Instagram, she did not inform about the next steps.
I never had a positive test during my career
“I have never doped. I have never had a positive test during my career. I have undergone countless anti-doping controls and I have always gone to the court with a clear conscience.
Just three days after the incident that finally changed my life, I was tested again. The result was negative. Just like all the tests before,” Vondroušová wrote.
The 2023 Wimbledon winner was banned for four years after failing to provide a sample during an out-of-competition test last December 3.
She defended herself by saying that the controller of the German anti-doping agency did not behave according to normal procedures.
She came to see Vondroušová outside of the one-hour interval that athletes report daily in the ADAMS application. Through it, they inform when and where they will be available.
Vondroušová did not let the inspector into the apartment and argued that the woman did not identify herself and did not show her credentials. Her arrival after eight in the evening allegedly triggered an acute stress reaction in the former world number six.
On the other hand, the controller claimed in the report that she fulfilled all the requirements. Vondroušová received the maximum possible punishment as in the case of a positive test.
An incredibly exhausting and painful time
“I never thought I would be writing something like this. I honestly wish no one else had to go through what I’ve been through these last few months.
Every day you wake up with uncertainty, fear, and a feeling that you are losing control of your life. It is something that is hard to put into words.
It’s an incredibly exhausting and painful period that affected me much more than I could have ever imagined,” said the Czech player.
Seven months of fighting
She described the last months as the most difficult in her life. “Seven months of waiting. Seven months of uncertainty. Seven months of fighting. Seven months of daily hope that everything will eventually be resolved.
Instead, it turned into months of fear, helplessness, and exhaustion. A period when I had to open up my private life in a way that most people would only share with those closest to them.
A period when I did everything in my power to prove that I had nothing to hide.’
She said she had done everything she had to in the previous months. “I was cooperative. I answered every question. I delivered everything that was required.
I testified before the tribunal and tried my best to explain what had happened. I gave it everything I had. Every bit of your energy, strength and faith.
Even during these seven months, I continued to fulfill all the duties of a professional athlete.
I updated my movement information every day so they could test me at any time. And they also tested me,” she said.
Professional sports means accepting the rules
“All the time you hope that the truth will be enough. That everything will be explained. That if you’re honest and cooperate and do everything you can, it will be enough.
But sometimes it’s not enough. Professional sports means accepting rules and controls. I have always respected them and understand why they exist. I just wish they never lose their humanity,” she wrote.
Vondroušová’s suspension is set to expire on June 21, 2030. Until then, she may not play, train or participate in any events organized or approved by the ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slam tournaments or national tennis associations.
The winner of the Czech Athlete of the Year 2023 poll can appeal against the decision to the CAS sports arbitration court. However, Vondroušová has not yet informed about further steps.
“Today I cannot say what will happen next. The last seven months have left traces that will not disappear overnight.
They took away the joy, confidence and sense of security I once had. And honestly, I don’t know how long it will be until I find these things again,” added Vondroušová.
