Former Australian men’s number one Marinko Matosevic has been handed a four-year suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency following five anti-doping rule breaches.
The 40-year-old, who reached a career-high world ranking of 39 in 2013, was found guilty of using blood doping whilst still competing professionally, as well as enabling another player to engage in the same prohibited practice.
An independent tribunal upheld the charges against the Bosnian-born player on Monday, with the ITIA confirming that the violations occurred between 2018 and 2020.
Matosevic turned professional in 2003 and retired from competitive tennis in February 2018 before moving into coaching.
Beyond blood doping, the tribunal determined that Matosevic had offered guidance to fellow players on methods to evade detection through anti-doping tests.
A single charge relating to possession and use of the banned substance clenbuterol before 2020 was dismissed owing to insufficient evidence.
Independent tribunal chair Michael Heron KC concluded the Australian’s conduct “went far beyond passive association and constitute intentional participation” in breaching the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
Mr Heron added Matosevic’s behaviour “strikes at the integrity of the anti-doping framework”.
Former Australian men’s number one Marinko Matosevic has been handed a four-year suspension
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The ITIA launched its investigation into the former player in 2024, with formal charges brought against him in May 2025.
Matosevic’s results from two ATP Challenger tournaments held in February 2018 have been annulled as part of the sanction.
The events in question were the Morelos competition in Mexico and the Indian Wells Challenger, with the former player now required to return all prize money earned from both tournaments.
According to figures on the Perfect Tennis website, the total prize money is roughly £3,000.
His suspension from tennis will remain in effect until March 15, 2030
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His suspension from tennis will remain in effect until March 15 2030, conditional upon the repayment of these outstanding earnings.
Until the ban concludes, Matosevic is prohibited from competing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event sanctioned by major governing bodies, including the ATP, ITF, WTA and Wimbledon.
Matosevic initially denied all allegations but confessed to blood doping in a social media statement released approximately six weeks before the tribunal’s ruling.
He said: “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.”
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PAThe statement added: “Because there is a long life after an athlete’s career.”
He went on to describe the ITIA process as “corrupt and unjust”.
Matosevic claimed the agency “take your phone number under threatening circumstances and make legal cases over photos and text message assumptions that are literally five years old”.
The tribunal rejected these accusations as without merit, confirming the ITIA had operated within its proper authority under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
