Former Australian tennis pro Marinko Matosevic says blood transfusion led to doping probe

Former Australian tennis player Marinko Matosevic has revealed he is under investigation by the sport’s anti-doping watchdog for the use of a “prohibited method” by receiving a blood transfusion in Mexico eight years ago.

Matosevic, who achieved a career-high ranking of world No.39 and has coached several Australian players, hit out at the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the body set up by the sport’s governing bodies to monitor the integrity of worldwide professional tennis events.

“It’s with a heavy heart and a clear mind as I write this,” Matosevic said in a statement published by Australian tennis website The First Serve.

“I have been under investigation by the ITIA since the Rome Masters 2024. The investigation is centred on a prohibited method I used in February 2018. I can confirm it’s true.

“Even though the ITIA has no real evidence of my wrongdoing, I have decided to admit what I did due to the corrupt process and the ridiculous nature of the other charges.”

Matosevic said he “stupidly and recklessly” had a blood transfusion in Morelos, Mexico, in early 2018. The then 32-year-old played qualifying at Indian Wells one week later – the final tournament of his career – and officially announced his retirement in November that year.

He has been involved in coaching current Australian players Chris O’Connell and Jordan Thompson, an Australian Open wildcard who reached the second round at Melbourne Park last month.

“Under desperate circumstances (I had some health issues in 2017), I stupidly and recklessly did a blood transfusion in Morelos, Mexico,” said Matosevic, whose career highlights included second round appearances at the 2015 Australian Open and Wimbledon and the French Open in 2014.

“I was disgusted with myself, I retired the following week at the age of 32 and a half. Shortly after I realised how precious life is and how serious and reckless my decision was. I wasn’t involved in tennis at all for almost two years and pro tennis for three.

“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.”

In his statement, Matosevic did not provide any further explanation for the blood transfusion, other than stressing that he was motivated by managing his health concerns from the previous year.

But he did take aim at the ITIA’s anti-doping protocols and investigation methods, claiming many of the allegations against him were based on text messages.

“I am writing this letter to let the tennis world know how corrupt and unjust the ITIA process is,” he wrote.

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“They take your phone under threatening circumstances and make legal cases over photos and text message assumptions that are literally over five years old.

“As I have gone through this process from start to finish and discussed with others who have knowledge or have also gone through the same process, the only logical conclusion is that the current systems in tennis should be dismantled.”

This masthead is making attempts to contact Matosevic. Tennis Australia and the ITIA have also been contacted for comment.

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