'I've done it, I cheated with it': ITIA release full verdict on Marinko Matosevic doping ban

(Getty/Robert Prezioso)

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) have published the full decision behind Marinko Matosevic's four-year blood doping ban, which reveals several text messages.

Before being due to appear in court last month, former world No.39 Matosevic reached out to The First Serve to release a statement to clarify his situation involving the use of a banned substance.

"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.

"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 two years, and pro tennis for three."

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The 40-year-old was coaching Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell during the Rome Masters when he was aggressively approached by an ITIA official in the hallway, according to Matosevic.

He has stated that his retirement was made official in November 2018, but the ITIA's report says otherwise: "The last covered event that Mr. Matosevic competed in was the Indian Wells Challenger Event in February 2018. He did not, however, give the ITIA written notice of his retirement until November 1, 2024."

The 47-page report explained the events that transpired in Mexico, which led to Matosevic taking a Prohibited Method.

"In early 2018, Mr. Matosevic travelled to Mexico to compete in an ATP Challenger Tour event in Cuernavaca, Morelos," it read. "During this time, he was in regular communication with Player B. Their text messages from February 2018 provided insight into the activities the two engaged in while in Morelos. These included attending a clinic, blood doping, making payments to a doctor, whom a friend of Player B had put them in touch with (that friend is referred to as Mr. F in this decision), and the performance-enhancing effects they experienced."

Player B sent Matosevic the following message: "Hey man, so I found the Dr. but my dads friend wants to know how much you pay normally so he can negotiate t[h]e best price."

The report adds that "over the following days, Mr. Matosevic described experiencing a noticeable uplift in his physical condition, stating that he had 'practised full power' and that training felt unusually easy."

On February 27, 2018, Player B sent Matosevic a photo showing the former Aussie No.1 player lying on a medical bed with a tourniquet around his arm and what appears to be a cannula inserted into it. The image helped investigators in the case.

On January 12, 2020, Player A notified Matosevic about a blood test that was required before the 2020 Australian Open, stating that "clen" was last used on December 14, 2019. Matosevic responded that "clen is gone under 10 days" and reassured Player A to "sleep easy".

As revealed in an interview with The First Serve, a female friend of Matosevic texted him about getting on Ozempic.

The ITIA report states that "in response, Mr. Matosevic told [her] that 'the best thing is Clenbuterol', explaining that this is what athletes take and it is banned. He said Clenbuterol is 'very clean' and it could be obtained 'over the counter in Indonesia'.

Matosevic then admitted: "I've done it, I've cheated with it."

Read the full decision of the independent panel here.

Matosevic issued a response to receiving a four-year ban, exclusively obtained by The First Serve.

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