Exclusive: Marinko Matosevic labels ITIA as 'corrupt' after Prohibited Method investigation

(Getty/Robert Prezioso)

Former Australian player turned coach, Marinko Matosevic, has called out the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for a "corrupt" and "unjust" process after being involved in an investigation.

Last year, The First Serve Live reported that Matosevic was under investigation by the ITIA, but was unaware about the investigation involving a Prohibited Method.

The 40-year-old officially announced his retirement from professional tennis in November 2018, after not playing since February of that same year.

The First Serve Live returns on Monday February 2nd at 8pm AEDT for its 18th year on the SEN Network/App, Australia's only dedicated weekly tennis program on commercial radio running through till the end of November.

Matosevic reached out to The First Serve to release this statement:

"It's with a heavy heart and a clear mind as I write this. I have been under investigation by the ITIA since the Rome masters 2024. The investigation is centred on a Prohibited Method I used in February 2018. I can confirm it's true," he wrote.

"Even though the ITIA has no real evidence of my wrongdoing, I have decided to admit what I did due to the corrupt process and the ridiculous nature of the other charges. 

"Under desperate circumstances (I had some health issues in 2017), I stupidly and recklessly did a blood transfusion in Morelos, Mexico. I was so disgusted with myself, I retired the following week at the age of 32 and a half. Shortly after, I realised how precious life is and how serious and reckless my decision was. I wasn’t involved in tennis at all for almost 2 years and pro tennis for 3. 

"I am writing this confession letter firstly to warn other athletes against doing anything that may harm their health and put their lives at risk, because there is a long life after an athlete’s career. 

"Secondly, I am writing this letter to let the tennis world know how corrupt and unjust the ITIA process is. They take your phone under threatening circumstances and make legal cases over photos and text message assumptions that are literally over 5 years old. The whole process is corrupt and lacks credibility, as we have seen over the last few years! These are man-made rules that get changed on a whim and to suit questionable objectives; they are not moral or right! The other “complicity” charges they have against me are total nonsense and have been put together with nothing but text messages from years ago, using more made-up laws like "intent". 

"As I have gone through this process from start to finish and discussed with others who have knowledge or have also gone through the same process, the only logical conclusion is that the current systems in tennis should be dismantled! 

"The players have all the power; if they come together, they can achieve real positive change! Due to the reasons mentioned above, I will not be attending the scheduled hearing next week and stop the process myself and will cease all communication with the ITIA. The truth will set you free!"

At one point, Matosevic was the coach of Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell, but stopped coaching O'Connell in late 2024.

Matosevic paused his coaching duties with Thompson at Wimbledon last year, but did a pre-season with Thompson and was in his box for his first round match at the Australian Open. However, he is no longer coaching.

It comes after 2025 saw former world No.40 Max Purcell accept a suspension of 18 months and fellow pro Tom Fancutt provisionally suspended under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, with both players admitting to using a "Prohibited Method" as defined by the ITIA.

The First Serve reached out to the ITIA awaiting a response.

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