By Richard Pagliaro Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Image credit: Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons
Malinko Matosevic Banned from tennis for four years for multiple doping violations.
The International Integrity Agency announced that former world No. 39 Matosevic “committed five anti-doping rule violations between 2018 and 2020, including using a prohibited method through blood doping (while an active player), assisting another player with blood doping, providing advice to other players on how to avoid a positive test, and using and possessing the banned substance clenbuterol.”
As a result, Matosevic, who has earned more than $2 million in career bonuses, was suspended.
The ITIA said the 40-year-old Australian had denied all allegations throughout the process “until admitting to blood doping in media comments shortly before the hearing”.
In the final match of the Indian Wells Challenge last month, Matosevic lost 6-4, 6-4 to Christian Harrison. Matosevic’s suspension will end on March 15, 2030, subject to the repayment of outstanding winnings.
Matosevic has spent time coaching compatriots Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell, but the ban prohibits him from participating in any professional tennis events or coaching.
Here are more details from ITIA’s news announcement on the case:
In 2024, an ITIA investigation found compelling evidence that Matosevic may have violated the rules. On May 15, 2025, ITIA formally filed charges against Matosevic. Matosevic denied the accusations and the case was referred to an independent tribunal to determine liability and sanctions.
The hearing is scheduled to be held via video conference on February 9, 2026. In the weeks leading up to the hearing, Matosevic stopped participating in the arbitration proceedings and then released a statement through the media admitting to a blood doping charge. Despite multiple notices, Matosevic chose not to attend the hearing, which went ahead as scheduled.
On March 16, 2026, an independent tribunal chaired by Michael Heron KC upheld the above charges and sentenced Matosevic to a four-year suspension, effective from the date of the written decision. An independent tribunal dismissed a charge of possessing and using clenbuterol before 2020 due to a lack of evidence, although the charge was considered probable.
Matosevic’s results and prize money at the Morelos and Indian Wells ATP Challenger Tour events in February 2018 (around the time of the blood doping violations) were also revoked.
