Matosevic learns his fate from the ITIA

(Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that Australian tennis coach and former professional player Marinko Matosevic has been suspended for a period of four years under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

An independent tribunal determined that Matosevic committed five anti-doping rule violations between 2018 and 2020, including use of a prohibited method through blood doping (while an active player) and facilitating another player to blood dope, providing advice to other players on how to avoid positive tests, and use and possession of the prohibited substance clenbuterol.

According to the ITIA, Matosevic denied all charges throughout the process until admitting to blood doping in media comments shortly before the hearing was scheduled to take place.

Matosevic chose to reach out to The First Serve back in early February to tell his full side of the story, indicating it was a case that he couldn't win. This was just prior to a scheduled hearing days later.

On the charges relating to advising other players, independent tribunal chair Michael Heron KC said that Matosevic’s actions “went far beyond passive association and constitute intentional participation” in violation of the TADP, and that his “conduct strikes at the integrity of the anti-doping framework”.

The tribunal also dismissed Matosevic’s public allegations relating to the integrity of the ITIA’s investigation process as without merit, and that the ITIA “acted within the authority conferred by the TADP”.

In 2024, ITIA investigations uncovered compelling evidence of potential rule violations by Matosevic. On 15 May 2025, the ITIA formally charged Matosevic.

Matosevic denied the charges, and so the case was referred to an independent tribunal to determine liability and sanction. A hearing was scheduled to take place via video conference on 9 February 2026.

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In the weeks preceding the hearing, Matosevic ceased to engage with the arbitration process, before issuing a statement via media, making an admission to one blood doping charge.  Matosevic elected not to attend the hearing despite multiple notifications, and the hearing took place as scheduled.

On 16 March 2026, the independent tribunal chaired by Michael Heron KC upheld the above charges, issuing Matosevic with a four-year suspension, effective from the date of the written decision.

One single charge for possession and use of clenbuterol pre-dating 2020 was dismissed by the independent tribunal due to lack of evidence, though it was noted to be likely.

Matosevic’s results and prize money from the Morelos and Indian Wells ATP Challenger events in February 2018, around the time of the blood doping violation, have also been disqualified. Matosevic’s suspension will end on 15 March 2030, subject to repayment of outstanding prize money.

During the period of ineligibility, Matosevic is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event or activity authorised or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Fédération Française de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association or its member associations or clubs, professional league or international or national-level event affiliated to WADA.

Matosevic may not coach or work with any player in any context under the Prohibited Association rules. The full written decision will be made available as soon as possible, once redactions have been made to preserve anonymity of related individuals, and the confidentiality of parallel investigations.

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis funders to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of their professional tennis events. 

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