Nikola Bartunkova, Former Wimbledon Juniors Finalist, Cleared to Compete After Doping Ban

Nikola Bartunkova, the 2023 Wimbledon girls’ singles runner-up, has been granted permission to return to competition. This follows her acceptance of a six-month doping ban for unknowingly ingesting a prohibited substance. She became eligible to play as of Monday. The 18-year-old Czech athlete tested positive for trimetazidine in February and again in March, which led to her provisional suspension. Trimetazidine is a metabolic modulator sometimes used as heart medication. Following an investigation, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) determined that the positive tests were caused by a contaminated supplement. In a statement, the ITIA added that “the violation was not intentional, and that the player bore no significant fault or negligence”. As part of Bartunkova’s sanction, her results between the first and second positive tests have been declared void, with the exception of a first-round result at an event held in the Czech Republic in March, where she returned a negative sample. Time served under provisional suspension was credited towards the period of ineligibility, and as such, Bartunkova is now free to play. Last year, Bartunkova secured her first WTA Tour victory by defeating then world number 21 Dayana Yastremska. She was beaten by American Clervie Ngounoue in last year’s Wimbledon juniors final.