Iga Swiatek had quite a strange season this year. The Pole although extended her winning streak at the French Open, but what came later was hardly expected by anyone. After a long trail of enduring problems in her coaching camp and professional life on the tour including a failed dope test as well, Swiatek is finally resting during the offseason. She is enjoying the festive season and, reminiscing her childhood memories.

The Polish star’s luck on the tour following the summer campaign was far from riveting. She fell short of her gold medal quest at the Paris Olympics as she had to settle for a bronze finish, after her semi-final loss. She followed that with a string of modest results at the North American hardcourt swing and reached the last eight in New York. The real shocker, however, came a few weeks later. Swiatek announced that she parted ways with her longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski. And, fans and experts sided with her decision.

Many believed the Pole could extend her reign beyond the claycourt following a healthy change to her training camp. Swiatek later introduced Naomi Osaka‘s ex-coach Wim Fissette to her team but, any changes in her performance were hardly reflected. She was handed a one-month doping ban from the circuit after testing positive for a prohibited substance (Trimetazidine) in August following an out-of-competition sample collection. As a result, she was forced to skip the entire Asian swing.

Swiatek returned to the year-end WTA Finals hoping for redemption but her run ended in the round-robin elimination. However, with the yearly calendar now done, the World No.2 finally has a chance to sit back and enjoy the festive season in all its glory. On Christmas eve, Swiatek posted a throwback photo on her Instagram, showcasing an adorable memory, where her younger self was seen posing with Santa Claus.

As for her doping scandal, Swiatek was far from pleased with the aftermath and expressed disappointment upon the announcement of her ban.

Iga Swiatek highlights ‘toughest battle in her life’ following doping ban

The Polish superstar Iga Swiatek felt like her entire life’s work was undone following her doping scandal. Naturally, it was a shocker for the entire tennis community. Despite taking reasonable precautions to avoid an outcome as such, the former World No. 1 had to serve a one-month ban, sidelining her from three events during the Asian hardcourt swing. After ITIA accepted her plea that the contamination was unintentionally caused due to medication manufactured and sold in Poland, she addressed the fans saying:

“In the last two-and-a-half months I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question. Both me and my team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety. Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most.”

Following the conclusion of the festive season, Swiatek will return to action at the Australian hardcourt swing, slated to commence in January 2025. Do you think she can win the Australian Open next season?