Iga Swiatek endures one-month suspension following a failed drug test

As it turns out, the absence of Iga Swiatek from the Asian swing of the WTA Tour this season was not just the Polish player seeking some rest. The start of the season proved rewarding, with the then World No.1 winning the Madrid Open and the Indian Wells Open. Moreover, the 23-year-old beat Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in straight sets to win her fourth and third straight French Open title. However, following her US Open exit after a defeat against Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals, the Polish star went on a break. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka continued her successful run in the season to eventually dethrone Swiatek from the World No.1 spot. Now, in a shocking revelation, the ITIA has informed that the Polish player accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance.

Iga Swiatek revealed to have failed a drug test, handed a one-month suspension by the ITIA

In the second instance of a top-ranked tennis player being named in doping cases this season, Iga Swiatek has been revealed to have observed a month-long ban. The Polish star tested positive for Trimetazidine, commonly known as TMZ, in an off-season test back in August. Swiatek appealed the charges, which is why it was not revealed until recently. Swiatek reasoned that the substance entered her system due to a contaminated dose of melatonin. The Polish player used the non-prescribed medication for sleep issues and jet lag. The ITIA accepted Swiatek’s explanation. However, unlike the ruling for Jannik Sinner, where the independent tribunal by ITIA cleared the World No.1 ranked Italian, ruling "no fault or negligence," Swiatek’s case ranked in the lowest range of fault.

The ITIA handed a one-month ban to the Polish player, saying that “Swiatek’s fault was considered to be the lowest end of the range for ‘No significant fault or negligence.’” The provisional ban came into effect on September 22 and lasted until October 4. During this time, Swiatek was not eligible to play in the Korea Open, China Open, and the Wuhan Open. She returned to the court for the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

“The ITIA accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland, that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional,” the ITIA said in a statement.

“The player was provisionally suspended from 22 September until 4 October, missing three tournaments, which counts towards the sanction, leaving eight days remaining. In addition, the player also forfeits prize money from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament directly following the test,” the statement further informed.

In a statement released by Swiatek on her social media, the Polish star provided the details of the case. After the ITIA believed her statement, the Polish star returned to the court following the conclusion of the Asian swing. However, the ITIA and Iga Swiatek later agreed on a one-month suspension, accounting for the time served during the provisional ban. With eight days remaining in the one-month suspension, Swiatek is now completing the penalty. Notably, the debacle is set to conclude before the next WTA season commences, and the World No.2 player will continue on the Tour unhindered.

"In the last two-and-a-half months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence," she said on Instagram. "The only positive doping test in my career, showing an 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."

"Both me and my team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety. Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate, I can go back to what I love most,” the Pole added.

Despite the hindrance, Iga Swiatek maintained her top rank in the WTA standings until a late reshuffle in the points propelled Aryna Sabalenka to the top. The Belarusian observed a successful run this season, winning her second Australian Open title and achieving her maiden victory at the US Open. Moreover, as Swiatek served the provisional ban, Sabalenka claimed the Wuhan Open title, closely tailing Swiatek in the WTA standings. Upon her return to the court, Swiatek fell short of qualifying for the WTA Finals knockouts in Riyadh, as Coco Gauff defeated the Polish ace. While Coco Gauff went on to claim the WTA Finals title, Sabalenka clinched the year-end World No.1 title.