Iga Swiatek is no stranger to making headlines, but this time, the Polish tennis star has caught everyone off guard—and not for her usual brilliance on the court. In a stunning twist, it has been revealed that Swiatek accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Naturally, the tennis world is buzzing with reactions, ranging from shock to speculation. Fans and experts alike are bewildered. But what exactly is the substance that got the former World No. 1 into this unexpected situation?

In a statement issued by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Thursday, it was confirmed that Swiatek tested positive for the banned substance Trimetazidine also known as TMZ, in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024. However, the ITIA ruled that the contamination was caused unintentionally after Swiatek consumed nonprescription medication, melatonin. Interestingly, the medication is used for heart-related ailments.

According to a report by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), trimetazidine “is a medicine used to prevent angina attacks, which are sudden pains to the chest, jaw and back brought on by physical effort, due to reduced blood flow to the heart.” The drug affects the body’s metabolism, breaks down the substances in the body, and converts them into energy. It also increases the blood flow to the heart of an individual. Swiatek claimed that she used the medicine for jet lag and issues related to her sleep cycle, which was admitted by the ITIA.

In its statement, the ITIA tribunal stated, that Swiatek’s fault was “at the lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence.” However, she was suspended from action between September 22 and October 4 which forced her to miss key tournaments like the Korea Open, the China Open, and the Wuhan Open. Swiatek still has eight days remaining remaining on the punishment and she also had to forfeit the prize money she clinched at the Cincinnati Masters, the first tournament she played after being tested positive. However, Swiatek is not the only player to have tested positive for the substance.

Earlier this month, the ITIA took to its official X account and shared that Czech player Nikola Bartunkova tested positive for trimetazidine in February-March. She accepted a six-month ban under the tennis Anti-Doping program after she was suspended and a ban from playing matches was imposed on her. It was ruled that “the contamination of a supplement containing milk thistle extract, that the violation was not intentional, and that the player bore no significant fault or negligence.”  Besides Bartnkova, Russian star skater Kamila Valieva was also accused of consuming the drug in 2022. 

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek has released a video statement on the entire matter as she expressed that she is relieved as a major stress is over for her.

Iga Swiatek shares true emotions over doping saga

Facing allegations of breaching the code of conduct of a sport is troublesome and stressful for any athlete. For a player of Iga Swiatek’s stature who has won 5 Grand Slam awards in her career and also clinched the prestigious bronze medal at the Paris Olympics this year, the situation was indeed difficult. But now, as she is found innocent, she cannot be more satisfied.

In a video she shared on her Instagram account, Swiatek said the doping saga was one of the “worst experiences” of her life. “In the last two and a half months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence,” Swiatek said. Continuing further, she added, “The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question.”

For now, it would be interesting to see how the tennis community will react to the entire doping saga and if she will receive backlash for the same.