The news shocked the tennis world on Thursday afternoon. Iga Świątek received a positive anti-doping test result, as announced by the International Agency for Tennis Integrity. “Traces of trimetazidine were detected in her body. The tennis player proved her innocence and as a result of the just concluded proceedings was suspended only for a month,” wrote Łukasz Jachimiak, a journalist at Sport.pl.
World media react to the suspension of Iga Świątek
– On September 12, I learned about the positive result of the anti-doping test, from a sample taken on August 12, i.e. before the tournament in Cincinnati. The lowest ever concentration of trimetazidine was detected. This is the most difficult experience of my life. I didn't do anything wrong – explained Iga Świątek in a special film. Trimetazidine, banned for athletes, entered the body of the current second-ranking player in the world ranking thanks to a contaminated drug containing melatonin, which the tennis player took when she had trouble sleeping due to time zone changes.
All the world's media are writing about the suspension of Świątek. Most of them title their texts with information that the Pole has accepted a one-month suspension for doping. However, they are wrong, the experts did not consider the presence of trimetazidine in her body to be doping.
“Urgent! Iga Świątek accepts a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance,” writes the BBC.
“Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek accepts a one-month doping suspension. This is the second recent high-profile doping case in tennis. World ranking leader Jannik Sinner failed two steroid tests in March“- adds AP News.
“Iga Świątek suspended for doping. The five-time winner of Grand Slam tournaments accepted a one-month suspension for taking prohibited heart medications,” writes “The Daily Telegraph.”
The Tennis Infinity website emphasizes that it has already been explained why Świątek had a long break games this year.
“At first, it seemed that Iga Świątek wanted to rest, as she repeatedly complained about her busy schedule and also blamed herself for withdrawing from the Wuhan Open after the appointment of a new coach. However, it is now obvious why Świątek missed these weeks on the world tour. International Agency for The Polish Tennis Integrity Institute (ITIA) announced on Thursday that the Polish player tested positive for a banned substance,” writes Tennis Infinity.
“Świątek suspended for doping. The Polish tennis player was punished for a month for a positive test result for the substance trimetazidine. Świątek has already completed 22 days of sanctions, so she will be able to take part in Australian Open in January next year,” emphasizes the Spanish “Sport”.
Iga Świątek won five tournaments in 2024, including the Grand Slam Roland Garros. She also won bronze at the Olympic Games in Paris. She ended the year with a record of 65 wins and 9 losses.