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Ymer’s 18-month suspension
Swedish tennis player Mikael Ymer, the 51e player in the ATP rankings, said Tuesday that he received an 18-month suspension for failing to meet whereabouts obligations in the fight against anti-doping.
“Former Wimbledon champion Vondrousova suspended 4 years for refusing doping test Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been suspended for four years for refusing an anti-doping test even though the Czech player cited “mental stress” and fear when the testing agent “rang my door late at night without properly identifying”
Ymer said he was accused in January 2022 by the Fédération internationale de tennis of missing three out-of-competition tests over a twelve-month period, and he tweeted, « Je trouve leur décision […] injuste », while contesting the accusations.
After an appeal by the federation, the Tribunal arbitral du sport (TAS) suspended the Swede on Monday for 18 months, citing that he had not indicated in advance where he would be on 22 avril, 10 août and 7 novembre 2021.
La Presse reported that the TAS said athletes must indicate their schedule in advance so investigators can locate them for surprise tests, and that at the third failure they face sanctions.
Ymer said he understood the rules were meant to protect the integrity of the sport and added on Twitter, « Cependant, je ne crois pas avoir enfreint ces règles et j’ai la conscience tranquille, Dieu m’en est témoin ».
Vondrousova’s four-year ban
Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, was handed a four-year suspension after an independent tribunal ruled she refused an anti-doping test in December 2025.
Tennis Now said the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the sanction following an out-of-competition testing attempt at Vondrousova’s home on December 3, 2025, and that the 26-year-old Czech has been barred from playing, coaching, or attending any official events sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, Grand Slams, or national associations.
The Guardian reported that the independent tribunal concluded Vondrousova provided “no compelling justification” for declining to provide a sample after being notified at her home by a doping control officer in December.
Vondrousova said in an Instagram statement in April that, “The recent doping control incident happened because I reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress.”
The Guardian added that the suspension runs until 21 June 2030, and Sky News said the ban expires on 21 June 2030 and that she has the option to appeal to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Appeals, rules, and stakes
In explaining the sanction framework, Karen Moorhouse, chief executive of the ITIA, said, “you can’t have an anti-doping system where a player is in a better place by refusing to take a test than they would by taking the test and testing positive.”
“ByMATTHEW LAMBWELL, TENNIS REPORTER Published:19:52, 22 June 2026|Updated:20:00, 22 June 2026 11 Viewcomments The 2023WimbledonchampionMarketa Vondrousovahas been banned from tennis for four years for refusing to allow adopingcontrol officer to enter her home to administer a test”
The Independent reported that the ITIA said, “Under anti-doping rules, the starting point for a sanction when a player refuses a test must be the same as if they had tested positive.”
Vondrousova argued during the hearing that she was suffering acute stress reaction and generalised anxiety disorder, and The Guardian said the tribunal concluded her evidence offered “no compelling justification” for the refusal.
Sky News reported that Vondrousova’s lawyer Jan Exner said, “First, we must consult with Marketa; I do not want to speculate on further steps at this moment,” after the ITIA announced the suspension on Monday.
The Guardian said Vondrousova will have the opportunity to appeal against the findings to the court of arbitration for sport, while Tennis Now said the player, the ITIA, and the Czech national anti-doping organization retain the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
