Marinko Matosevic has been handed a four-year ban from tennis for multiple anti-doping violations after accusing the governing body of being ‘corrupt.’
Matosevic, who has been ranked as high as 39th in the world during his career, was found to have committed five anti-doping violations over a two-year period, from 2018 to 2020. This includes the use of blood doping (with an unnamed active player), facilitating another player to blood dope, handing advice on how to avoid a positive drugs test and the possession of the prohibited substance clenbuterol.
Initially, Mateosevic denied all charges that were made against him. However, earlier this year, he issued a statement on social media admitting he ‘stupidly’ underwent a banned blood transfusion. In the same statement, he claimed the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) had no substantial evidence to prove his wrongdoing, but he decided to admit his guilt due to the ‘corrupt process and ridiculous nature of other charges’ made against him.
“I am writing this confession letter firstly to warn other athletes against doing anything that may harm their health and put their lives at risk, because there is a long life after an athlete’s career,” Matosevic said in a statement that was issued to thefirstserve.com.au.
“Secondly, I am writing this letter to let the tennis world know how corrupt and unjust the ITIA process is.
“They take your phone number under threatening circumstances and make legal cases over photos and text message assumptions that are literally 5 years old.
“The whole process is corrupt and lacks credibility, as we have seen over the last few years!”
The ITIA responded to Matosevic’s public accusations by saying they ‘acted within the authority conferred by the Tennis Anti-Doping program (TADP)’ and his claims are without any merit. The former tennis star didn’t engage with the arbitration process before making his statement publicly and opted not to attend hearings on the case despite receiving multiple notifications.
Michael Heron KC, who was the case’s independent chair, says Matosevic ‘went far beyond passive association and constituted intentional participation’ in violation of the TADP when it came to advising other players. Adding that his ‘conduct strikes at the integrity of the anti-doping framework.’
Matosevic retired from tennis in 2018. Since then, he has worked as a coach for both Chris O’Connell and Jordan Thompson. He is now banned from all professional events sanctioned by members of the ITIA (ITF, ATP, WTA and Grand Slam events) until 15 March 2030, subject to repayment of outstanding prize money.
There is yet to be any comment from Matosevic, who is within his right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if he wishes to do so.
