Iga Swiatek, five-time Grand Slam champion, emphasized the uniqueness of doping cases while addressing comparisons with other players like Jannik Sinner and Simona Halep.
Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine in August due to contamination in her jet lag medication. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) handed her a one-month suspension, deeming her fault “not significant.” She served the ban from September 12 to October 4, missing events in Wuhan and Beijing but returned for the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Sinner tested positive twice for clostebol but avoided a ban, with a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal still pending. Halep, however, faced a four-year suspension, later reduced to nine months after appealing against her roxadustat violation.
Swiatek explained, “Each case is different. It’s hard to compare me to Sinner or Halep. These decisions are for the ITIA, and I trust their objectivity.”
She’s set to compete at the United Cup and Australian Open as she looks ahead to the new season.
Iga Swiatek in 2024
Ranked no.2, Swiatek played her last match on the 18th of November when she defeated world no.4 Jasmine Paolini 3-6 6-4 6-4 in the Rubber 2 in (draw).
This season Swiatek owns a compiled 64-9 win-loss record. Swiatek conquered 6 titles in 2024 in Australia, Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rome and French Open.
Iga Swiatek |
Embed from Getty Images |