World number two and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has received a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.
The 23-year-old reigning French Open champion tested positive for the heart drug, trimetazidine (TMZ), in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024, when he was world number one.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted that it was caused by contamination of the non-prescription drug melatonin regulated, manufactured and sold in Poland, which Swiatek considered a drug for jet lag and sleep problems.
Therefore, Swiatek’s error rate is considered to be at the lower end of the ‘No Significant Errors or Omissions’ range.
“In the last two and a half months I underwent the rigorous ITIA process, which confirmed my innocence,” he said on Instagram.
“The only positive doping test in my career, showing extremely low levels of a banned substance that I had never heard of before, called into question everything I had worked hard for my entire life.
“Both my team and I had to deal with a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. Now that everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can get back to what I love most.”
Swiatek was temporarily suspended from September 12 before successfully appealing, missing three tournaments.
The Polish player appealed the temporary suspension on September 22, and informed an independent tribunal that the source of the positive test result had been identified as contaminated drugs produced in his home country.
After testing confirmed Swiatek’s account, ITIA offered her a one-month suspension which she accepted on Wednesday.
Because her temporary suspension was lifted on October 4, Swiatek’s period of ineligibility will end on December 4, 2024.
The Pole was also forced to forfeit the prize money from his trip to the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open, the tournament that directly followed the test.
“I admit this situation really hit me because all my life I have tried to have a career that can be an example for future generations,” added Swiatek.
“I feel this situation could damage the image I have built over the years, therefore I hope you understand that I had no control over this and could not have done anything to prevent this unfortunate incident.
“Without my supporters, I’m not sure I would have been able to find the strength to keep going and keep fighting. Now I have fought the toughest battle of my life, and I hope you will stay with me and continue to support me.”
In addition to her fourth French Open, Swiatek won titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid and Rome in 2024.
He missed the Korea Open (16-22 September), the China Open (25 September – 6 October) and the Wuhan Open (7-13 October – he was suspended during the entry deadline).
The ITIA did not disclose the temporary suspension as the player successfully appealed within 10 days of the notification.
ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse said: “After TMZ’s sources became known, it became clear that this was a very unusual example of a contaminated product, which in Poland is a regulated drug.
“However, these products do not have the same designation globally, and the fact that a product is a regulated drug in one country is not enough to avoid any degree of error. Taking into account the properties of the drug, and everything else. in situations like this, this puts the error at the lowest point on the scale.”
Swiatek’s suspension comes after men’s world number one Jannik Sinner tested positive for clostebol in March.
Although the ITIA accepted that there was “no fault or negligence” attached to the 23-year-old Italian, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) acknowledged ITIA’s decision in a statement and offered its “full support” to Swiatek during a “difficult time”.
“The 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 WTA added.
“The WTA remains steadfast in its support of clean sport and 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 accidental exposure to prohibited substances can have significant consequences.”
