Nikola Bartunkova, the Wimbledon girls finalist, was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency for doping on Thursday.
The agency reported that the 18-year-old Czech player tested positive for the banned cardiac medicine trimetazidine at tournaments in Trnava, Slovakia, and Maribor, Slovenia, in February and March, respectively. Also read: Jannik Sinner To Play In French Open only if 100% fit
The medicine, known as TMZ, was also discovered in high-profile positive tests administered in 2021 to Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva and 23 Chinese swimmers preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.
Clervie Ngounoue defeated Bartunkova in last year’s Wimbledon girls singles final. She also advanced to the singles semifinals and doubles final of the 2022 Junior French Open. She’s ranked 282nd. Also read: Boris Becker discharged from bankruptcy court in England
Bartunkova is barred from participating in any sanctioned tennis competitions pending an ITIA hearing.