Marketa Vondrousova left infuriated by doping tester's lack of respect for her

Wednesday, 03 December 2025 at 23:25

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byJordan Reynolds

The contentious doping system and its enforcement are in the spotlight again after Marketa Vondrousova told a shocking story about her treatment by a tester.

Jannik Sinner's three-month suspension for testing positive for clostebol at the 2025 Indian Wells Open prompted some, such as Novak Djokovic, to raise red flags about the case amid claims that the Italian was treated more favorably than other players.

Sinner's rehiring of fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, one of the key figures in his testing positive, was seen by some as a terrible blow to tennis. That case, along with the world No. 2's willingness to bring Ferrara back, generated feelings that the doping system was not strict enough.

However, some players feel the system is repressive and does not adequately consider their lives and privacy. Marketa Vondrousova's Instagram post about her recent experience with a doping tester supported that viewpoint.

The 2023 Wimbledon women's singles champion wrote that the tester arrived outside of the time that players are required to be home for doping control. Astoundingly, the person told Vondrousova it did not matter, even after she mentioned the impact this had on her privacy.

"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 8:15 pm and told me that my declared time doesn't matter and that I must be tested right now."

"When I pointed out that it's outside my testing window and a serious intrusion into my privacy, I was told: 'This is the life of a professional athlete.'"

The evidently angry Vondrousova feels that players' private lives are not being respected, and that it should be remembered that those who work in the doping system must also respect the rules.

"Is it normal for doping officers to sit in our living rooms at night waiting for us to pee? This is not about avoiding testing - it's about respect. Respect for the rules that we follow, and for the personal life that we're entitled to after a long day of training and competition. Rules should apply to everyone, even to those enforcing them."

Iga Swiatek's doping case caused her considerable anxiety

WTA world No. 2 Iga Swiatek was left shocked when she tested positive for trimetazidine in an out-of-competition sample. The news was kept private during the investigation because the Pole appealed within 10 days.

Eventually, it was discovered that melatonin tablets, a product used by many athletes, that she purchased from a Polish manufacturer had been contaminated without her knowledge. Swiatek served a one-month ban for the offense.

Jannik Sinner's doping case and the three-month settlement he reached with the World Anti-Doping Agency caused significant controversy and division. Many had more sympathy for Swiatek, since the case details made it clear that she did not intend any wrongdoing.

The six-time Grand Slam champion has spoken about the stress she endured during the period when she did not know what caused the positive doping tests until the contamination was found. Had it not been found, Swiatek would have received a much longer ban.