'I reached breaking point': Markéta Vondroušová risks four-year ban for doping test no-show

(Getty)

Former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová has been charged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for failing to attend a doping test after an "acute stress reaction".

According to the ITIA conditions, a player is deemed to be non-compliant if they "evade simple collection or refuse or fail to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorised person."

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However, as the case is still ongoing, the former world No.6 is, in the meantime, eligible to compete.

Vondroušová's lawyer told The Athletic: "We are certain that once the full context is understood, her name will be cleared."

If found guilty, she can face up to four years on the sidelines.

An emotional post sent out by Vondroušová explained what she has endured since December.

"It is very tough for me to talk about this, but I want to be transparent with you about my mental health. The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress," she wrote on social media.

"For a long time, I've been dealing with injury, constant pressure, and ongoing sleep issues that left me feeling exhausted and fragile. It slowly wore me down more than I probably realised at the time. And on top of that, years of hateful messages and threats have affected how safe I feel in my own space.

"When someone rang my door late at night without properly identifying themselves or following protocol — I reacted as a person who felt scared. In that moment, it was about feeling safe, not about avoiding anything. Experts confirmed I suffered an Acute Stress Reaction (F43.0) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (F41.1). In that moment, fear clouded my judgement and I just could not process the situation rationally. After what happened to Petra, we don't take strangers at our door lightly."

Vondroušová was referring to fellow Czech native and two-time Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitová, who was severely injured by a knife-wielding robber in her apartment 10 years ago.

She continued: "I'm trying to slowly find my way back – both on and off the court. Tennis has always been my world, but right now I’m also focusing on healing and getting through this in the best way I can. I'm still working to clear my name, but at the same time I need to take care of myself. Thank you to my boyfriend, my family, and everyone who has stood by me – it means more than I can explain. For now, I'm taking a bit of time to breathe and recover."

A few months ago, during the off-season, the 26-year-old shared an Instagram story showing a doping control officer at her door: "Every day, we are required to be home for one specific hour for doping control. I respect that rule – every single day. Tonight, however, a tester arrived at 8.15pm and told me that my declared time doesn't matter and that I must be tested right now."

Vondroušová last appeared on court in January's Adelaide International. She withdrew from this week's Open de Rouen.

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