“I’m not expecting an appeal, but I have kind of no influence on what’s going to happen.” Iga Swiatek seemed confident last month while suggesting there should not be an appeal from World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in her doping case. However, the latest update might draw clouds of uncertainty, again, and dread for the former World No.1. Back in late November Swiatek, 23, revealed that she was tested positive for banned substance Trimetazidine (TMZ). Following which she received a provisional suspension in September. At the conclusion of the case, she received a one-month ban that ended in early December.

The initial verdict from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found that Swiatek was not entirely at fault. She and her team provided documents that helped prove her point. Which was that the cause of her failed test was a contaminated medication she took for jet lag. An independent panel of the ITIA later came to the conclusion that there was “no significant fault or negligence” on her part. The fault was considered at the “lowest end of the range.” Later, Poland’s National Anti-Doping Agency also confirmed, in December, that there’s no plan to appeal against this verdict.

On the other hand, WADA was given a deadline until January 21 to submit an appeal to Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) against Iga Swiatek. But now, just days before the deadline, the latest update reveals that WADA’s team hasn’t made a clear decision yet. They are still reviewing the matter. “WADA has no comment to make about the specifics of the Swiatek case as it remains under review,” read an email from WADA, as reported by Ubitennis on Friday. But what does this update mean for Swiatek?

Well if WADA does end up appealing against Swiatek, the Pole will have to go through a hearing, similar to Jannik Sinner. The ATP World No.1 was also found positive for Clostebol last year. But he wasn’t banned and continued playing, due to ITIA’s verdict that found “no significant fault or negligence” on his part as well. However, WADA appealed to the CAS against him in September. Earlier this month, CAS eventually confirmed the hearing dates for his case. Sinner will have to attend the hearing beginning from April 16. In case the final judgment comes against him, he might face a suspension for up to 2 years.

Now in Swiatek’ case, if WADA actually appeals by January 21, her 2025 season might get jeopardized. Right now she’s playing in the Australian Open. Her campaign may suffer as well, as she might find it tough to channelize her energy and focus on her matches. Following the doping saga, she’s already gone through a nightmarish experience, as she described last year.

Iga Swiatek reveals doping controversy as her ‘worst experience’ of her life

Previously, while revealing about her positive dope tests and the suspension due to it, Iga Swiatek termed it as her life’s “worst experience”. On Instagram, she shared a long post and a video, about the same, as she wrote, “In the last 2.5 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.”

Swiatek and her team had to deal with a lot of tense moments, in figuring out the solutions. “Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most. I know I will be stronger than ever. I’m leaving with you a long video and right now I’m just relieved it’s over. I want to be open with you, even though I know I did nothing wrong,” the five-time Grand Slam winner further added.

Speaking of the current situation, the former World No.1 has already made it to the fourth round in Melbourne. Thanks to her victory against Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu on Saturday. She beat the 2021 US Open winner in straight sets with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-0. In the Round of 16, she will now face the winner of the third round match between Germany’s Eva Lys and Romania’s Jacqueline Cristian.

What are your thoughts on Iga Swiatek’s doping case? Will there be an appeal from WADA against her? Let us know in the comments below.