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Swiatek Accepts One-month Doping Ban
World number two and five-time tennis Grand Slam champion, Iga Swiatek, has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.
The 23-year-old reigning French Open champion tested positive for a heart medication, trimetazidine (TMZ), in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024, when she was world number one.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted that it was caused by contamination of the regulated non-prescription medication melatonin, manufactured and sold in Poland, which Swiatek took for jet lag and sleep issues.
Swiatek’s level of fault was therefore considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’.
“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 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.”
Swiatek was provisionally suspended from 12 September before successfully appealing, missing three tournaments.
The Polish player appealed the provisional suspension on 22 September, notifying an independent tribunal that the source of the positive test had been identified as a contaminated medicine manufactured in her home country.
After testing confirmed Swiatek’s account, the ITIA offered her a one-month suspension which she accepted on Wednesday.
Because her provisional suspension was lifted on 4 October, Swiatek’s period of ineligibility will end on 4 December 2024.
The Pole was also forced to forfeit the prize money from her run to the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, the tournament that directly followed the test.
“I admit this situation hit me hard because all my life I strived to have a career that could be an example for generations to come,” added Swiatek.
“I have a sense this situation could undermine the image I’ve been building for years, which is why I hope you will understand I had no control over it and could do nothing to prevent this unfortunate turn of events.
“Without my supporters I am not sure I would have been able to find the strength to carry on and keep fighting. Now I have fought the toughest battle in my life, and I hope you will stay with me and keep supporting me.”
In addition to her fourth French Open, Swiatek won titles in Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid and Rome in 2024.