Marinko Matosevic Hit with 4-Year Ban for Doping Violations

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Photo credit: Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons

Marinko Matosevic has been hit with a four-year ban from tennis for committing multiple doping violations.

Former world No. 39 Matosevic “committed five anti-doping rule violations between 2018 and 2020, including use of a prohibited method through blood doping (while an active player) and facilitating another player to blood dope, providing advice to other players on how to avoid positive tests, and use and possession of the prohibited substance clenbuterol,” the International Integrity Agency announced.

As a result, Matosevic, who has earned more than $2 Million in career prize money, has been banned.

The 40-year-old Aussie denied all charges throughout the process “until admitting to blood doping in media comments shortly before the hearing was scheduled to take place,” the ITIA said.

In his last match at the Indian Wells Challenge last month, Matosevic suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Christian Harrison. Matosevic’s suspension will end on March 15th, 2030, subject to repayment of outstanding prize money.

Matosevic has spent time coaching compatriots Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell, however the ban prohibits him from playing or coaching in any professional tennis event.

Here’s more details from the ITIA’s news announcement on the case:

In 2024, ITIA investigations uncovered compelling evidence of potential rule violations by Matosevic. On 15 May 2025, the ITIA formally charged Matosevic. Matosevic denied the charges, and so the case was referred to an independent tribunal to determine liability and sanction.

A hearing was scheduled to take place via video conference on 9 February 2026. In the weeks preceding the hearing, Matosevic ceased to engage with the arbitration process, before issuing a statement via media, making an admission to one blood doping charge. Matosevic elected not to attend the hearing despite multiple notifications, and the hearing took place as scheduled.

On 16 March 2026, the independent tribunal chaired by Michael Heron KC upheld the above charges, issuing Matosevic with a four-year suspension, effective from the date of the written decision. One single charge for possession and use of clenbuterol pre-dating 2020 was dismissed by the independent tribunal due to lack of evidence, though it was noted to be likely.

Matosevic’s results and prize money from the Morelos and Indian Wells ATP Challenger events in February 2018, around the time of the blood doping violation, have also been disqualified.