Iga Swiatek, a leading figure in women’s tennis, has joined Jannik Sinner as the second prominent player to report a positive test for a prohibited substance this year. While Sinner, who currently holds the No. 1 spot in men’s tennis, was exonerated completely, Swiatek faced a different outcome. Last month, she slipped from her No. 1 ranking to No. 2, and earlier this week, she acknowledged a one-month suspension that has been officially disclosed.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concluded that Swiatek’s positive urine sample stemmed from a contaminated medication she consumed, thus attributing a minimal degree of responsibility to her. ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse clarified via a video conference with journalists that both cases do not involve intentional doping. “In the case of Sinner… there was no fault or negligence, and in Swiatek’s situation, it was at the very low end, without significant fault or negligence,” she stated. Moorhouse expressed confidence that this incident should not alarm tennis enthusiasts.
To delve deeper into the details concerning these two athletes:
Swiatek, a 23-year-old from Poland, boasts an impressive resume, with five Grand Slam titles under her belt. Over the past two-and-a-half years, she has established herself as the leading player in women’s tennis, particularly excelling on clay courts. She has clinched four out of the last five French Open titles, including three consecutive victories, as well as a U.S. Open title. Since April 2022, she has held the No. 1 ranking for the majority of the time, and further showcased her talent by winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics earlier in August.
The detection of trimetazidine, a prohibited heart medication often referred to as TMZ, in Swiatek’s urine sample occurred during an out-of-competition test conducted on August 12. This testing took place shortly after her final match at the Summer Games and just before the Cincinnati Open. Swiatek was provisionally suspended on September 12, a week after her defeat to Jessica Pegula in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Research revealed that the trimetazidine resulted from contamination in a sleep aid, melatonin, which her psychologist had procured from a Polish pharmacy where it is sold legally. Although Swiatek had disclosed 14 medications or supplements she was taking, melatonin was not among them.
Trimetazidine is classified as a metabolic agent that can aid in preventing angina attacks when used additionally. Its role in enhancing blood flow efficiency and boosting endurance makes it a substance of interest in high-performance sports. It is considered a prohibited item under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s regulations, categorized as a “hormone and metabolic modulator.” The substance has previously been associated with doping cases involving athletes, including Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva and a group of Chinese swimmers.
Swiatek’s suspension took effect in September after the U.S. Open, though it was subsequently lifted soon after she provided a credible explanation for the contamination—one corroborated by testing. During the subsequent Asian tournament swing, she missed three competitions without disclosing the exact reasons. Ultimately, she and the ITIA agreed on a one-month suspension. Since she was credited for the time she had already missed, only eight days remained in her suspension, which falls during the off-season. Nonetheless, she was allowed to compete in the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup. Swiatek commented, “The worst part of it was the uncertainty. 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.”
Regarding Jannik Sinner’s situation, he tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid on two occasions in March. However, the details surrounding his case were withheld until August, just before the U.S. Open, which he won for his second Grand Slam title of 2024. Similar to Swiatek, the ITIA kept their cases private until resolution because both players provided what was deemed plausible explanations. Sinner attributed his positive result to a cream that his trainer applied before a massage, leading to his complete exoneration, although the World Anti-Doping Agency has since appealed this decision. Comparatively, Swiatek’s circumstances were viewed as involving the “lowest end of the range for no significant fault or negligence,” resulting in a lighter sanction. When questioned about the standard for determining the length of suspensions in such cases, Moorhouse clarified that there are no fixed guidelines; rather, outcomes depend on an overall assessment of each situation, taking all facts into consideration.