Czech tennis player banned for six months after testing positive for banned substance

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Czech tennis player Nikola Bartunkova will receive a six-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP) after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine in February and March 2024.

It was determined that Bartunkova was not at fault or negligent

Following an investigation, ITIA accepted that the positive tests for trimetazidine were due to contamination of a supplement containing milk thistle extract. After the meeting with the Czech player, it was evaluated that the violation was not intentional and it was decided that Bartunkova was not at fault in this case.

In accordance with similar cases under the World Anti-Doping Code and taking into account the nature of the merits and circumstances surrounding the player, ITIA offered Bartunkova a six-month suspension. Additionally, his results between his first positive test (February 28, 2024) and the date of provisional suspension (April 16, 2024) were disqualified, with the exception of his first-round result at the W75 event in Říčany, Czech Republic, in March. He gave a negative sample in 2024.

Bartunkova accepted this sanction. The time spent under temporary suspension is deducted from the period of ineligibility. As such, Bartunkova will be able to play freely as of November 11, 2024, when the written decision is made.