The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced that Czech tennis player Nikola Bartunkova has accepted a six-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine. The positive tests were found to be the result of a contaminated supplement, and the ITIA has determined that the violation was not intentional, and the player bore no significant fault or negligence.

Uncovering the Truth: A Transparent Investigation Leads to a Fair Outcome

Positive Tests and Provisional Suspension

Bartunkova, an 18-year-old tennis player who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 226 in April 2024, provided positive samples while competing at an ITF W50 event in Trnava, Slovakia, in February 2024, and an ITF W75 event in Maribor, Slovenia, in March 2024. The ITIA sent the player a pre-charge notice of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation on 16 April 2024, and Bartunkova has been provisionally suspended since this date.

Identifying the Source: Contaminated Supplement

After an investigation, Bartunkova notified the ITIA on 27 October 2024 that they had identified a contaminated supplement as the source of the trimetazidine found in their sample. The ITIA subsequently instructed the independent and WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research & Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Utah, USA, to test the supplement. The findings confirmed the scenario, and an independent scientific expert verified the plausibility of the player's explanation.

Mitigating Circumstances and Sanction

Based on the investigation and the player's cooperation, the ITIA accepted that the violation was not intentional and that Bartunkova bore 'No Significant Fault or Negligence.' On 11 November 2024, the ITIA offered a six-month suspension to the player, in line with precedent for similar cases under the World Anti-Doping Code and considering the nature of the substance and the circumstances. The player accepted this sanction, and the time served under provisional suspension was credited against the period of ineligibility, allowing Bartunkova to return to play from the date of the written decision.

Upholding Integrity: The Role of the ITIA

The ITIA is an independent body established by its tennis members to promote, encourage, enhance, and safeguard the integrity of professional tennis events worldwide. This case demonstrates the agency's commitment to a fair and transparent investigation process, ensuring that athletes are treated equitably and that the integrity of the sport is upheld.The full written decision is available to read by clicking here.