An independent tribunal has suspended former Australian No. 1 Marinko Matosevic for four years under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The 40-year-old committed five violations between 2018 and 2020, including blood doping and assisting others. The ban runs until March 15, 2030, barring him from tennis activities.
Marinko Matosevic, once Australia's top-ranked tennis player, has received a four-year suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The decision, announced on March 16, 2026, follows findings by an independent tribunal under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). The tribunal determined that Matosevic violated rules five times between 2018 and 2020, including using a prohibited blood doping method while active, assisting another player with blood doping, and advising others on evading detection. One charge involving clenbuterol was dismissed for insufficient evidence, though deemed likely by the tribunal. Matosevic initially denied all charges, maintaining innocence until shortly before the February 9, 2026 hearing, where he admitted to blood doping in media comments but did not attend despite notices. Tribunal chair Michael Heron KC stated that Matosevic’s actions on advising players “went far beyond passive association and constitute intentional participation” and that the “conduct strikes at the integrity of the anti-doping framework.” The ITIA rejected Matosevic’s prior criticisms, affirming it acted within TADP authority. Investigations began in 2024, with formal charges issued May 15, 2025. Results and prize money from February 2018 events in Morelos and Indian Wells are disqualified. Until prize money repayment, Matosevic cannot play, coach, attend ITIA events (ATP, ITF, WTA, national), or associate with players. Other Australians faced similar scrutiny: Max Purcell accepted an 18-month ban for exceeding IV infusion limits, ending June 11, 2026 after reductions for cooperation; Tara Moore received a four-year ban upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
