Swiatek accepts one-month ban for positive test due to unintentional contamination
The Pole tested positive in an out-of-competition drug test in August
Former world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a heart medication which is banned. The suspension was announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Thursday.
As per the ITIA release, the Pole failed an out-of-competition drug test in August. She formally admitted the anti-doping rule violation on Wednesday and accepted a one-month penalty. The ITIA has accepted her explanation that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a nonprescription medication, melatonin, that Swiatek was taking and that it was unintentional.
Swiatek’s level of fault was found to be “at the lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence,” as per the ITIA, resulting in what she called a “symbolic” one-month ban.
The Pole was provisionally suspended from September 22 to October 4, during which she missed three tournaments of the WTA Asian swing. She now has only eight days left to serve for her suspension to be completed.
The ITIA added that Swiatek would have to forfeit her prize money from the Cincinnati Open, the first tournament she played after the failed test.
Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most.
In a post on Instagram, Swiatek, described the positive test as the toughest battle of her life.
I’m finally allowed… so I instantly want to share with you something that became the worst experience of my life,” Swiatek said in the post. “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. 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.”
“Fully support Iga during this difficult time” – The WTA Tour
The WTA Tour also issued a statement in support of Swiatek. “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 said.
“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.”