Iga Swiatek Handed One-Month Suspension After Positive Doping Test, Reveals Emotional Journey

Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek has been handed a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, trimetazidine (TMZ), while ranked as world No.1. The heart medication, which was found in her system, led to a lengthy and emotional battle as Swiatek and her team worked tirelessly to clear her name. Following an investigation by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the 22-year-old was cleared, and her suspension will end on December 4.

Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, shared her difficult experience with her fans through an emotional Instagram video. In the post, she revealed the turmoil she endured over the past two and a half months, during which she was subject to strict ITIA proceedings. Despite this, Swiatek emphasized that the low levels of TMZ found in her test were the result of accidental consumption through another medication, and she successfully proved her innocence.

“I’m finally allowed to share with you something that became the worst experience of my life,” Swiatek wrote in the post. “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 an 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.”

She went on to describe the immense stress and anxiety she and her team faced during the investigation. “Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate, I can go back to what I love most,” she said, adding, “I know I will be stronger than ever.”

Although the ITIA had provisionally suspended Swiatek on September 12, the tennis star appealed within the 10-day window. On September 22, she provided evidence proving that the banned substance was consumed accidentally, which led to the suspension being reduced to just one month.

While Swiatek’s suspension will end on December 4, she will forfeit the prize money she earned by reaching the semifinals at the Cincinnati Open. Despite the setback, the French Open champion expressed her relief and gratitude for the support of her fans, vowing to return to the sport stronger than ever.