The tennis world thrives on surprises, but this latest development has left everyone stunned. In a statement shared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Thursday, it was confirmed that Swiatek tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ), a heart medication, in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024. However, the Polish star explained that the use was unintentional. How?

She explained that it was caused by the contamination of a nonprescription medication, melatonin. She reportedly used the medication for jet lag and sleep issues, and hence her explanation was accepted by the investigative agency. The ITIA in its ruling stated that Swiatek’s fault was unintentional and was “at the lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence,” hence she was let go with a fine and a one-month suspension.

The former World No. 1 was provisionally banned from September 22 to October 4 and missed three tournaments, including the Korea Open, the China Open, and the Wuhan Open. She earlier highlighted that she missed the tournaments for personal reasons, which now seems to be her temporary suspension. 

Swiatek now has only eight days remaining on the punishment. However, she will be forfeiting the prize money from the Cincinnati Masters, which was the first tournament she played after the failed test. Remember, the Pole was ousted in the semi-finals of the tournament in Cincinnati. Interestingly, this comes just months after another doping controversy surrounding ATP World No.1 Jannik Sinner took center stage. 

For the unversed, Sinner tested positive twice for low levels of a metabolite of Clostebol during the Indian Wells. However, it was later found that Giacomo Naldi, Sinner’s ex-physio, used a spray containing the substance to treat a cut on his own finger. However, since he massaged Sinner without using gloves, it resulted in Sinner testing positive. While ITIA let him go with a fine, an appeal against him has been filed in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), a final ruling on which is awaited. 

Coming back to Iga Swiatek, the Polish sensation has now come forward to issue a statement highlighting how the entire phase took a major toll on her.

Iga Swiatek calls the doping controversy the “worst experience” of her life

Iga Swiatek has always gained headlines for her remarkable grit and skills on the courts. The 5-time Grand Slam champion has dazzled the tennis courts and has made a respectable place for herself in the tennis arena. Hence, for a player of her stature, phasing such a phase is definitely a tough task, which was also admitted by Swiatek herself. 

In a statement issued by her on her Instagram account, Swiatek highlighted how difficult was this phase for her and her team. Calling it the “worst experience” of her life, Swiatek said, “In the last two and a half months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence.”

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.” She also highlighted that the entire proceeding brought stress and anxiety for her entire team, but she is glad that the entire episode is now over and she is proven innocent.