“HOW WAS SHE ALLOWED TO PLAY” – Ever since the news about Iga Swiatek’s doping controversy broke out, the Pole has been facing backlash from the fans as well as fellow tennis stars. For those unaware, Swiatek was handed a one-month suspension after testing positive for Trimetazidine earlier this year. After hearing the ruling, we saw a few questions being raised on just a month’s suspension. What was the reason behind it, though? Well, as per reports, Swiatek’s level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for “no significant fault or negligence.” Amid all these, she has also been getting quite a few support, recently!

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency shows support towards the former world number one amidst her doping controversy! The head of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, Veronika Loginova, recently said that they have found no injustice or signs of discrimination in the approach of the world’s anti-doping organizations. She said, “If we analyze publicly available information about Swiatek, it is clear that she has presented extensive evidence indicating the use of a contaminated product. And we are talking about a very low concentration of a prohibited substance in a doping sample.“

She further added, “There are results of the test conducted in a WADA-accredited laboratory, there are opinions of independent experts who confirmed the athlete’s version. She also conducted a hair test, which showed no systemic use. Finally, there are documents confirming the purchase of this particular drug by the doctor. I think that is enough to believe her version.” We all know how tough it has been for Swiatek to handle all these things in the last few months.

Iga Swiatek has faced quite a few criticisms from the Russians as well, and perhaps this support from them is now like a bolt from the blue! Previously we saw Yevgeny Kafelnikov say, “It should be LIFE ban for anybody who gets caught using ban substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance no matter who you are!!!!” Then even another Russian, Nikolay Davydenko also took a jibe saying, “Corruption is Everywhere!”

After hearing all these non-stop criticisms, Swiatek even explained this situation as the “longest and toughest tournament” of her career! Who else did stand beside Iga Swiatek amid this tough phase in her career, though? Previously while speaking on the doping controversy, the Minister of Sport and Tourism for Poland, Slawomir Nitras tweeted, “Even the greatest perfectionists sometimes fall victim to other people’s mistakes.” We also saw the American ski racer, Lindsey Vonn saying, “We know your character and your fans know it too. We have your back!” Even, Andy Roddick was seen defending Iga Swiatek amid all these ongoing social media battles surrounding this doping controversy.

Roddick said that it’s pretty much “unfortunate” for Iga Swiatek and also added, “I can’t call it doping. It’s like taking a melatonin for jet lag at 2:30 in the morning in Cincy and having… think about how many things had to go wrong for Iga Swiatek to get popped for melatonin and something that was contaminated.” Andy Roddick recently also expressed his concern about how will Iga Swiatek answer the questions on her doping saga from the Australian media. What did he say, though?

“She is sensitive” – American tennis legend shows his major concern about Iga Swiatek ahead of the 2025 AO

The first Grand Slam event of the 2025 season knocking at the door and we must be shifting all our focus to the biggest rivalries in the tennis world. However, the situation is slightly different this time around! Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek doping controversies rattled the tennis world this year and its after-effects are still well seen in the media. They have been facing quite a few backlashes on social media and now with the Australian swing knocking at the doors, Roddick feels Iga Swiatek may have to face a lot of uncomfortable questions during her stay on ‘The Land Down Under.’

“My only concern for Iga Swiatek at scale is how she lands in Australia and how she deals with the questions. Because what is going to happen is that she is going to give the same answer to the same question for the same day for the next three months,” said Roddick. He further also mentioned, “Lesser people would become impatient, I certainly would have. She is sensitive, you can see her emote more than Jannik Sinner, who keeps things calm and tight. I am just concerned about a coaching change, this news coming out, how she shows up in Australia.“

Just a few days ago, we saw him even suggesting Iga Swiatek take advice from Jannik Sinner on how to cope with all these things in the middle of the Tour. We’ll see if she really seeks help from the Italian or not, however, recently the Pole also received support from Serena Williams’ ex-coach. 

The Romanian star, Simona Halep has been one of the biggest critics of Iga Swiatek in the last few weeks. She is clearly not happy with only a one-month ban for Swiatek. For those who are unaware, Halep tested positive for Roxadustat in 2022 and was initially handed a 4-year ban by the ITIA. However, later on, it was reduced to nine months!

Highlighting a probable difference in treatment, she once said, “The woman player – I don’t want to give name, you know about who I’m talking about – she had the three-week suspension, then she played two events, and then she gets again suspension. What is this?” After seeing taking indirect jibes at Swiatek on multiple occasions, Stubbs said, “She’s obviously angry, but her ire should be directed at the system, not at Iga.” Do you agree with Rennae Stubbs, though?