Iga Swiatek Gets Honest on Why She Didn’t Want Her Doping Case to Go Public Instantly
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek has spoken candidly about her doping case and the challenges she faced while keeping the matter private. The five-time Grand Slam champion admitted that she didn’t want the news to go public immediately because she feared it would be harder to clear her name without first proving her innocence.
🔍 What Happened in Swiatek’s Doping Case?
📅 Timeline of Events:
- August 2023 – Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, due to contaminated melatonin medication.
- Post-US Open – She was provisionally suspended for 22 days as the investigation began.
- November 2023 – The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced a one-month ban for Swiatek, stating she “bore no significant fault or negligence.”
- Final Verdict – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reviewed the case and chose not to appeal, officially clearing Swiatek of wrongdoing.
Despite this, Swiatek faced immense pressure as she waited for the case to unfold.
🎙️ Swiatek: “People Would Have Judged Me Instantly”
Speaking to The Athletic, Swiatek explained why she didn’t want the news leaked prematurely:
“I know that it would be tricky if the info got out to the public earlier because without the proper explanation and actually without the whole process that happened afterwards, of me proving that I’m not guilty… I think without this, people will judge me straight away.”
She also highlighted the mental toll of the situation:
“It wasn’t easy to keep everything inside. But I had my support team and my family as well. The most difficult thing was not knowing what’s going to happen with me, not having my own fate in my hands. It was a tough lesson because I’m a control freak.”
🎾 Back to Tennis: Swiatek’s Strong Return
Despite the off-court drama, Swiatek has shown resilience on the court. After a semifinal exit at the Australian Open, she has bounced back and is now in the Doha quarterfinals, set to face Elena Rybakina.
With her name cleared, Swiatek is now fully focused on continuing her dominance in women’s tennis. 💪🔥
