In a significant turn of events, Iga Swiatek, the celebrated five-time Grand Slam champion, has accepted a one-month suspension following a positive test for trimetazidine, a banned heart medication, as confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Thursday.
Swiatek’s out-of-competition drug test, conducted in August, revealed the presence of the substance. She provided a valid explanation to the ITIA, asserting that the result stemmed from contamination of a nonprescription sleep aid, melatonin, which she used to cope with jet lag and sleep disturbances.
The ITIA concluded that her level of fault was “at the lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence.”
Reflecting on her experience, the 23-year-old Polish athlete shared in a heartfelt video, “This has been the toughest chapter of my life. I’ve learned so much from it.” Swiatek expressed her struggles in returning to training after facing a challenging period, filled with tears and sleepless nights. “The uncertainty was the hardest part; I was left wondering about my career and whether I’d be able to step onto the court again.”
This case marks another major doping incident in the world of tennis: Top men’s player Jannik Sinner faced two positive tests for steroids in March but was cleared in August, just before claiming victory at the U.S. Open, securing his second Grand Slam title this season. Sinner did not face any competition suspension, although the World Anti-Doping Agency has since appealed his exoneration.
Swiatek first achieved the No. 1 ranking in the WTA in April 2022 and maintained her position until Aryna Sabalenka surpassed her in October, resulting in her current ranking at No. 2.
In June, Swiatek won her fourth French Open title and fifth major overall, capped off with a bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics in early August.
In response to the recent developments, the WTA expressed its support for Swiatek, stating, “Iga has always showcased her commitment to fair play and the ethos of clean sport. This unfortunate situation underscores the hurdles athletes must navigate regarding medications and supplements.” The WTA reiterated its stance on the importance of clean sport and stressed the necessity for athletes to meticulously verify the safety and compliance of the products they use, as even accidental exposure to prohibited substances can have serious ramifications.
Swiatek formally conceded to the anti-doping violation and accepted the imposed penalty on Wednesday. The substance at the center of this case, TMZ, has previously caused stir in the sports world, notably involving 23 Chinese swimmers who remained eligible after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2021.
Surprised by the test result, Swiatek admitted to never having heard of TMZ and confirmed her long-term use of melatonin, saying, “With all the traveling, jet lag, and stress, I often rely on it to sleep.”
The provisional suspension from September 22 to October 4 compelled her to miss three tournaments in Asia following the U.S. Open — the Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open. However, following her appeal proved the test result was due to contaminated melatonin, her provisional ban was lifted.
Now that a one-month suspension has been confirmed, Swiatek will serve the remaining eight days during a period free of competition and is set to return to the court on December 4.
“I’m determined to kick off my new season fresh, focusing solely on playing my best tennis,” said Swiatek, who recently brought Wim Fissette on board as her coach.
Additionally, Swiatek faced a financial penalty, forfeiting the $158,944 prize money from her semifinal appearance at the Cincinnati Open, which took place right after her positive test.
Following the investigation into the source of TMZ, ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse stated, “This case represents an unusual instance of a contaminated product. While this medication is regulated in Poland, this status varies globally, and being a recognized medication in one territory doesn’t automatically mitigate responsibility.” She emphasized that the nature of the medication and the surrounding circumstances contribute to the assessment of fault, deeming it to be on the lower end of the scale. “This serves as a crucial reminder for tennis professionals regarding the strict liability outlined by the World Anti-Doping Code and the essential need for players to approach supplements and medications with caution.”
