Iga Swiatek accepts one month doping suspension after positive test
Iga Swiatek has received a one month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for a banned substance back in August.
Swiatek, who is a five-time Grand Slam champion, tested positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample on 12th August.
Polish tennis player Iga Świątek has accepted a one-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
— International Tennis Integrity Agency (@itia_tennis) November 28, 2024
TMZ is a heart medication, with the ITIA reporting that Swiatek had ‘low levels’ of the substance in this positive sample.
However, the ITIA have accepted that this positive test was caused by the contamination of a non-prescription medication called melatonin, which is manufactured and sold in Poland.
The ITIA have revealed that Swiatek was taking this medication for jet lag and sleep issues, and have accepted that the violation was not intentional.
Swiatek was provisionally suspended upon the findings of this test, and forced to miss tournaments in Seoul, Beijing and Wuhan, and now has eight days of the ban remaining from 27th November.
The World No.2 will also forfeit her $158,944 in prize money from reaching the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open, which was the tournament that directly followed the test.
Following the announcement of her suspension, the WTA have released a statement in support of Swiatek and for a clean sport, “The WTA acknowledges the decision by the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA) – which administers the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP) – in issuing a one-month suspension to Iga Swiatek, following the identification of a contaminated regulated medication (melatonin) as the source for her positive test for the prohibited substance Trimetazidine.
“The WTA fully supports Iga during this difficult time. Iga has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fair play and upholding the principles of clean sport, and this unfortunate incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the use of medications and supplements.”
The statement continued, “The WTA remains steadfast in our support for a clean sport and the rigorous processes that protect the integrity of competition. We also emphasize that athletes must take every precaution to verify the safety and compliance of all products they use, as even unintentional exposure to prohibited substances can have significant consequences.
“We will continue to work closely with our athletes to provide education and resources that empower athletes to make informed decisions and maintain the highest standards of integrity in our sport.”
Polish tennis player Iga Świątek has accepted a one-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.
— International Tennis Integrity Agency (@itia_tennis) November 28, 2024
This ban will not impact Swiatek’s 2025 season, which she will begin representing Poland at the United Cup in Sydney.
Inside the baseline…
This is truly shocking news, with now both Iga Swiatek and ATP No.1 Jannik Sinner currently embroiled in doping sagas. The situation regarding Swiatek’s withdrawal from tournaments in Asia seemed strange at the time, so this certainly provides an explanation for that. The explanation for Swiatek’s contamination makes sense and the ITIA presumably have doctors notes to support her claim, but it is unclear as to why she was then able to compete at the WTA Finals. Although Swiatek only has eight days left of this suspension, it is too early to say whether this is over or not yet, with Sinner knowing that all too well after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lodged an ongoing appeal against him.
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