By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, December 27, 2024
Photo: Simon Bruty/US Open/USTA
Few opponents scare Iga Swiatek.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek shared the biggest scare she suffered as a result of serving a month-long ban after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample in August.
Pegula: The Swiatek case inspires confidence and disappointment
Swiatek says she feared possible public backlash and isolation after her suspension.
But the world No. 2 reports that she has received mostly positive support since news of her suspension broke.
“I think their response has been more positive than I thought. I think people are, most of them, they are understanding and those who read the documents and are aware of how the system works, they know that I was not at fault and I. had no influence on what was happening,” Swiatek told the media at the press conference of Team Poland. “I try to move on with my life and focus on different things, focus on preparing for season and tennis, because that’s the best thing you can do after such an occasion.
“But overall, the reaction in Poland basically, because that’s what I read the most, has been pretty, you know, supportive. I really, really appreciate that, because even when I miss the swing in China and no one knew why, it wasn’t. So after my case was, the information about my case was released, you know, I was afraid that most people would turn their backs on me, but I felt the support and it’s wonderful.
In a Thanksgiving announcement, International Tennis Integrity Agency admitted that Swiatek’s claim her positive test was caused by contamination from an over-the-counter medication (Melatonin) manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had taken for jet lag and sleep problems.
According to ITIA, Swiatek’s level of fault was considered to be at the lower end of the range for “No Significant Errors or Negligence”.
Swiatek, who was reinstated on Dec. 8, missed the Asian event and forfeited the prize she earned from her run to the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open. Cincinnati was the tournament the Pole played immediately after her positive test for TMZ.
Asked at the United Cup if he fears WADA will appeal its case as it has with men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Swiatek said that while he does not expect an appeal, “I have no influence on what it will happen.”
Because she was suspended, she lost the Asian pace and then lost her ranking of no. 1 in the world to Aryna Sabalenka, her conqueror in Cincinnati, Swiatek said she does not anticipate WADA appealing her case.
“I don’t think there’s any reason because I didn’t play three tournaments,” Swiatek said. “I’ve been suspended for a long time and I’ve lost No. 1, you know, because of that. I also know how the procedure worked and I’ve given every piece of evidence possible and there’s not much, frankly, more to do So. I don’t know, there’s no point in appealing for our opinion.”
Statement from the WTA:The WTA recognizes the decision of the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA) – which administers the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP) – to issue a one-month suspension to Iga Swiatek, following the identification of a contaminated…
— wta (@WTA) November 28, 2024
The reigning Roland Garros champion called her experience “a fair process” and said she believes the ITIA will “treat every player the same way”.
“So I don’t expect an appeal, but I don’t have any kind of influence on what’s going to happen,” Swiatek said. “But I can say from the processes I went through and how they treated me from the beginning, that it seemed right to me. I was able to provide the source very quickly. So the case was closed, you know, very quickly.
“But still, I didn’t play the tournament and I got a fine, small, symbolic, but now it’s over. So, in my opinion, it was a fair process and I trust the ITIA. In any case, they will treat every player in the same way and with justice.”
