By Jessica Murdock
Former World No.1 Iga Swiatek has opened up about the emotional toll of accepting a one-month doping ban after unknowingly consuming a banned substance. The Polish tennis star, who has won five Grand Slam titles, described the ordeal as the “worst experience” of her life, revealing the tremendous stress and anxiety she and her team endured throughout the investigation.
Swiatek was handed a one-month suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) during an out-of-competition test in August 2024. TMZ is a medication typically used to treat heart conditions, but it is banned in sports due to its performance-enhancing properties.
While the ITIA clarified that Swiatek bore no significant fault or negligence, the positive test still raised questions about her career. As a result, she was provisionally suspended on September 12, 2024, and missed three tournaments during the suspension period. After an appeal, her ban was officially finalized at one month, a reduced sanction given the mitigating circumstances surrounding the case.
In a heartfelt Instagram video, Swiatek shared her relief after the ruling and reflected on the emotional strain the situation caused. She revealed that the presence of the banned substance had put everything she had worked for into question, a feeling that weighed heavily on both her and her team’s mental health.
“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 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 levels of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for into question.”
She continued, explaining that the ordeal caused significant stress for both her and her team. “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.”
Swiatek emphasized her innocence, stating, “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.”
With the matter resolved, Swiatek expressed her relief and optimism as she prepares to return to tennis. She now looks forward to continuing her career with a clean record, determined to emerge stronger from the experience.
Swiatek’s case is not the only doping-related controversy in tennis this year. Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the top-ranked men’s player, also faced doping allegations after testing positive for the anabolic agent clostebol. However, Sinner was later cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent tribunal and went on to win the US Open.
Swiatek, too, is now ready to return to the court, hoping to regain her place at the top of women’s tennis after overcoming this challenging chapter in her career.
