Ex-tennis star Marinko Matosevic banned for doping violations and player coaching
Former Australian tennis player Marinko Matosevic has received a four-year ban for multiple doping violations. The ruling follows an investigation into blood doping and his involvement in advising other players. Matosevic initially denied the charges before admitting to them in a public statement.
The independent tribunal found Matosevic guilty of five anti-doping rule breaches between 2018 and 2020. These included using a banned blood doping method and encouraging another player to do the same. His actions were deemed intentional under the Tennis Anti-Doping Protocol.
Matosevic had previously denied all allegations, even criticising the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) as corrupt and unreliable. However, he later admitted to blood doping in a social media post. The tribunal dismissed his claims against the ITIA, calling them baseless.
Since retiring in 2018, Matosevic worked as a coach for Australian players Chris O'Connell and Jordan Thompson. His ban comes as one of the few high-profile doping cases in recent tennis history, with no other current or former players facing similar allegations. The only other notable case involved Iga Świątek, who received a one-month suspension in 2024 for an unintentional medication contamination.
The four-year ban prevents Matosevic from participating in any professional tennis activities. His case highlights the strict enforcement of anti-doping rules in the sport. The tribunal's decision confirms the severity of his violations and the deliberate nature of his involvement.
