WATCH: Iga Swiatek issues apology video explaining why she consumed ‘banned’ drug Trimetazidine
Iga Swiatek has issued an apology after it was announced that she had tested positive for a banned substance.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via X)
Iga Swiatek has issued an apology after news of her getting banned for a doping violation broke out. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Thursday that the Pole tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, a heart medication known as TMZ.
The ITIA stated that the positive test was due to contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication Swiatek had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues. Due to the same, the violation was deemed not intentional and the 23-year-old has been banned for one month only.
Following this, Swiatel took to social media to issue an apology. She stated that the whole ordeal was the worst experience of her life and was grateful that the ITIA had confirmed her innocence.
I want to share with you something that became the worst experience of my life. In the last 2.5 months I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. 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. Both me and my Team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety.
Iga Swiatek said on Instagram
The four-time Grand Slam champion stated that she is looking forward to resuming her tennis career with a clean slate. She also said that she was making a statement on the topic out of respect for her fans.
Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most. I know I will be stronger than ever. I’m leaving with you a long video and right now I’m just relieved it’s over. I want to be open with you, even though I know I did nothing wrong. Out of respect for my fans and the public, I’m sharing all the details of this longest and toughest tournament of my career. My biggest hope is that you will stay with me.
Iga Swiatek added
According to the ITIA, Swiatek tested positive for TMZ (at low levels) after she provided an out-of-competition urine sample on August 12 this year. After Swiatek appealed her provisional suspension to an independent tribunal chair, it was discovered that a regulated non-prescription medicine was the reason for the positive test.
A mixed season for Iga Swiatek ends with doping suspension
After her initial doping test came back positive, Iga Swiatek was provisionally suspended on September 12. This meant she had to skip the Korea Open, the China Open, and the Wuhan Open.
It ends a difficult few months for Swiatek, where she not only had to fight for her innocence, but also saw her dominance fall apart. While she was busy appealing the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s provisional suspension, she lost her top spot in the WTA rankings to Aryna Sabalenka.
That said, Swiatek has had a pretty good campaign in 2024. She won her seventh WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Ladies Open, making her the first person to win three consecutive titles at the same hard court tournament since Serena Williams in 2015.
82 – Currently holding a record of 79-17, Iga Swiatek (82.3%) holds the best winning percentage at Grand Slam events of any currently active player. Chance. #USOpen | @usopen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/0Nh89dxCjm
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 26, 2024
The World No. 2 then emerged victorious at the Indian Wells Open title for the second time in her career. She followed that up by clinching the title at the Miami Open, Madrid Open, and the Italian Open. Swiatek then extended her dominance at Roland Garros.
The 23-year-old won her third French Open title, making her the second female (after Serena Williams in 2013) to win the Madrid Open, the Italian Open, and the French Open in the same season. Since then, however, she has struggled to carry her form.
Swiatek did manage to do well at the Paris Olympics. While she could not win the singles gold medal as everyone had expected, she managed to salvage her campaign by claiming the bronze medal. With her now being cleared of all doping allegations, she will turn her attention to the 2025 season, where she will hope to make her tennis do the talking.
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Anirudh Velamuri
(58 Articles Published)