Iga Swiatek reacts to ban as WTA issue statement on failed drugs test | Tennis | Sport

Iga Swiatek has publicly addressed her positive doping test after “low levels” of banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) were present in an out-of-competition urine sample she provided on August 12.

An International Tennis Integrity Agency investigation concluded that Swiatek bore “No Significant Fault or Negligence”. On November 27, world No. 2 formally admitted the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) accepted a one-month suspension.

Swiatek has now shared a video statement addressing the matter. The WTA also issued a statement, saying they “fully support” the 23-year-old.

The ITIA first notified Swiatek of the ADRV on September 12 and she was automatically provisionally suspended. Swiatek successfully appealed this suspension which is why it was not made public.

She still served the provisional ban from 12 September until 4 October until it was lifted. This time served counts towards her one-month ban so she has eight days left. Her sanction will be lifted on December 4.

Swiatek also forfeits points and prize money from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament she played after returning the positive sample. Once the ITIA broke the news on Thursday, Swiatek took to social media to react to the positive test and her suspension.

“Hi everyone! The topic I want to share with you today is a tough one, one I was not able to discuss in the last two and a half months. But I finally can so I hope this video will explain a lot,” she started.

Explaining how she was informed of the ADRV, the five-time Grand Slam champion admitted she had no idea what the banned substance was and initially didn’t know how it entered her system.

She continued: “It was a blow for me, I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious. At first I couldn’t understand how that was even possible and where it came from.

“It turns out testing revealed historically lowest levels of trimetazidine, a substance I’ve never heard about before. I don’t think I even knew it existed. I have never encountered it, nor did people around me. So I had a strong sense of injustice and these first few weeks were really chaotic.”

The former world No. 1 said she and her team co-operated with the ITIA and their investigation, and ultimately found the source of contamination – a batch of non-prescription melatonin tablets she had ahead of the Cincinnati Open.

Swiatek now has eight days left to serve of her suspension, after which the matter will be behind her. But she admitted it took a huge toll. “The whole thing will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life, it took a lot of strength, returning to training after this situation nearly broke my heart,” she added.

“So there were tears and lots of sleepless nights. The worst part of it was the uncertainity. I didn’t know what was going to happen with my career, how things would end or if I would be allowed to play tennis at all.”

The WTA also issued a statement following the announcement that Swiatek admitted the violation and accepted her suspension and said they “acknowledged” the ITIA’s decision in the case.

The women’s tour added: “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 WTA remains steadfast in our support for a clean sport and the rigorous processes that protect the integrity of competition. We also emphasise 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.

“We will continue to work closely with our athletes to provide education and resources that empower athletes to make informed decisions and maintain the highest standards of integrity in our sport.”

Iga Swiatek‘s statement in full

“Hi everyone! The topic I want to share with you today is a tough one, one I was not able to discuss in the last two and a half months. But I finally can so I hope this video will explain a lot. I want to be transparent with you and I want you to understand what’s been happening to me recently.

“On September 12 I learned that my anti-doping test sample collected on August 12 – so before the Cincinnati tournament – tested positive. It was a blow for me, I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious. At first I couldn’t understand how that was even possible and where it came from. It turns out testing revealed historically lowest levels of trimetazidine, a substance I’ve never heard about before. I don’t think I even knew it existed. I have never encountered it, nor did people around me. So I had a strong sense of injustice and these first few weeks were really chaotic.

“We instantly reacted and co-operated with the ITIA. The detected concentration was extremely low which suggested, or rather made it obvious, that either the sample was contaminated or a supplement or medication that I was taking was contaminated. Which is why we focused on running tests on all nutritional supplements and medications I was taking. The tests showed melatonin I’ve been using for a long time – the batch I had on me and had used before the Cincinnati tournament – was contaminated during manufacturing.

“It was a shock to hear but it also explained a lot and locating the source is key in these cases. Which is why after finding out, we had to prove that the medication was in fact contaminated. Melatonin is necessary for me because all my travelling, jetlag and work-related stress mean that sometimes without it I couldn’t fall asleep and I would be having trouble sleeping.

“After finding the source, we needed time for the whole matter to be concluded which is what is happening now. On September 12 I was provisionally suspended, making me unable to play the tournaments in Asia or defend my ranking. Clearly it’s a consequence of this situation but not the most important one for me. What mattered most for me was to prove my innocence. Now that the whole thing is drawing to a close, I was put on a symbolic one-month suspension. Twenty-two days are behind me, eight still to go.

“That means I can start my new season with a clean slate, focused on what I’ve always done, simply playing tennis. This experience, the most difficult in my life so far, taught me a lot. Going back to playing, competing in WTA Finals, and Billie Jean King Cup, gave me a lot of positive emotions and made me enjoy my game again. The whole thing will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life, it took a lot of strength, returning to training after this situation nearly broke my heart. So there were tears and lots of sleepless nights. The worst part of it was the uncertainity.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen with my career, how things would end or if I would be allowed to play tennis at all. Which is why I am so grateful to my family and my team, people who stood by me no matter. Right from the very beginning everyone got together to help me. They went all out to locate the source, and I am forever grateful for that. 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. A career that’s going to be fair in a sense that will show I was fair and embody all the values a top athlete should stand for.

“I have a sense this situation could undermine the image I’ve been building for years. Which is why I hope you will understand what happened and understand how I had no control over it and could do nothing to prevent this unfortunate turn of events. I hope you will stand by me and keep supporting me because I’m not sure if without my supporters I would have been able to find the strength to carry on and keep fighting. So now I have fought the toughest battle of my life, and I hope you will stay with me and keep supporting me.”