Iga Swiatek suspended after testing positive for banned substance

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

On Thursday, the ITIA confirmed that the Pole tested positive on an out-of-competition sample on 12 August 2024. According to its investigation, Swiatek had “no significant fault or negligence” because the positive test was due to contamination of a regulated medicine sold in Poland, which he “used for jet lag and sleep problems and therefore the violation was not intentional”.

ITIA offered Swiatek a one-month suspension on November 27, which he accepted. However, he has already served 22 days of the ban as he was temporarily suspended between September 12 and October 4, causing him to miss the Korea Open, China Open and Wuhan Open. Swiatek – who fired the coaching staff In October – he cited “personal reasons” for missing these tournaments. It is now clear that he had to miss these events due to the food ban.

The positive test was not publicly disclosed due to Tennis Anti-Doping Program Rules. Swiatek was reinstated on the Tour after a successful appeal and she was allowed to play in the season-ending WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup finals in Riyadh.

With the majority of his sentence already served, the five-time major winner plans to return for the 2025 Australian Open. Making an emotional statement after accepting her one-month ban, Swiatek admitted that sitting at home due to the October ban made her question her future as a tennis player.

“This experience, which was the most difficult experience I have ever had in my life, taught me a lot” Swiatek said. “Returning to playing, competing in the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup gave me a lot of positive emotions and made me enjoy my game again. All of this will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life. It took a lot. Returning to training after this situation almost broke my heart.” There were a lot of tears and many sleepless nights. The worst part about it was the uncertainty.

“I didn’t know what would happen in my career, how things would turn out, or whether I would be allowed to play tennis, so I’m very grateful to my family and my team. The people who were there for me. No matter what, everyone came together to help me from the very beginning.”