Criticism Comes From Homeland for Iga Swiatek as Polish Doping Expert Raises Serious Questions on Doping Controversy

Iga Swiatek is still under scrutiny after her one-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine. She missed the Asian swing of the tour due to this suspension, which the ITIA deemed necessary. Although she completed her ban and paid a fine, backlash ensued. Some fans and insiders sympathized with her, understanding that the substance came from medication for sleep issues and jet lag. Meanwhile, others felt she received a lenient punishment and that the conversation was far from over. 

On November 28, Swiatek shared her experience on Instagram, aiming for transparency with her supporters. What began as a routine drug test in August turned into her “worst experience” when she received positive results in September. Now that her suspension is over, she is focused on the upcoming season. However, critics like Nick Kyrgios and Simona Halep have raised concerns about the perceived preferential treatment of top players in doping cases.

Adding to the controversy, a Polish lawyer criticized the verdict in Swiatek’s case. Speaking on the Program Tenisowy channel, he noted, “The verdict in Iga’s case is a bit unfair.” Despite forfeiting prize money from the Cincinnati Open and incurring legal fees, many believe it wasn’t enough punishment. This situation echoes Jannik Sinner‘s case, where initial clearance led to further complications.

The Italian was initially cleared off by the ITIA in August; however, by September, WADA came back and demanded another appeal before CAS. Which may lead to the World No. 1 receiving a ban of up to two years. While the lawyer seems unsure of how to go about Swiatek’s case, he stated, “For me, Iga’s case is mysterious and I wonder why she was not found innocent or, for example, reprimanded.”

When you compare her case to Sinner or Halep, the disparities seem to stand out. Right now Jannik is still awaiting his final verdict from CAS after testing positive back in March. Meanwhile, Simona faced a potential four-year ban for testing positive for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open, which was later reduced to nine months on appeal. However, ITIA’s CEO, Karen Moorhouse, spoke up about how her case was unique: “Once the source of the TMZ had been established, it became clear that this was a highly unusual instance of a contaminated product, which in Poland is a regulated medicine.”

Since the medication was used to help her with stress and jet lag, which is an issue many players on tour face, the case was placed under “fault at the lowest end of the scale.” Now, as she prepares for next season with new coach Wim Fissette, Swiatek remains focused on her game despite the ongoing debate surrounding her case. While her WTA Finals came to an abrupt end in the group stage, she certainly made up for it alongside the Poland team at the BJK Cup. Her determination received some high praise from her mentor and the team captain, Dawid Celt.

Poland’s captain applauded Swiatek’s relentless game during the BJK Cup

Even though the Polish team fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in a dramatic 2-1 match, Iga Swiatek’s dedication stood out as she won three singles and one doubles match alongside Katarzyna Kawa. After back-to-back matches, she had admitted, “Honestly, I don’t think I have ever been so tired before,” reflecting on the physical toll of the competition. Her commitment was evident as she stated, “Even if I’m gonna die on court, I will do it, but give hundred percent.”

But seeing her work her magic on the court grabbed Team Captain Dawid Celt’s attention. He praised Swiatek’s leadership and effort during the tournament in an interview with Marek Furjan on the ‘Break Point’ channel. Noting that everyone on the team worked hard, Swiatek truly went above and beyond. He revealed that after their match against the Czechs, the physiotherapists worked late into the night to help her recover. Celt remarked, “She was a complete leader…she left a lot of health and really gave it her all.”

His admiration for her dedication echoed sentiments he shared in November after Poland’s exit from the BJK Cup. He had called her the “undisputed leader” who poured her heart and character into every match. Swiatek’s season has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by early successes and challenges later on. After a strong start, she struggled with form and faced doping controversies that affected her performance and ranking. Do you believe she has what it takes to reclaim her No. 1 status next season? Share your take below.