Tennis star Iga Swiatek accepted a one-match suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test in August 2024, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said on Thursday, November 28.
Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, tested positive for a prohibited substance — trimetazidine (TMZ), which is used as a heart medication. However, the ITIA confirmed that there was no significant fault or negligence from the player’s side and thus the one-month ban. Iga was provisionally suspended from September 12, 2024, before successfully appealing, missing three tournaments.
Investigations revealed that the prohibited substance originated from a contaminated regulated melatonin medication used for sleep and jet lag, which was manufactured and sold in Poland. The ITIA determined that Swiatek bore minimal responsibility, finding the fault to be at the lowest end of the “No Significant Fault or Negligence” category under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).
After crediting the provisional suspension time served, Swiatek’s suspension will officially conclude on 4 December 2024. Swiatek forfeited prize money from the Cincinnati Open, which immediately followed the positive test.
TIMELINE OF DOPING SUSPENSION AND APPEAL
A sample provided on August 12, 2024 tested positive for low levels of TMZ.
Both A and B samples confirmed the presence of the substance.
Independent analysis by WADA-accredited laboratories verified the contamination of the regulated melatonin product.
Swiatek appealed the provisional suspension on September 22, citing the contaminated product as the source.
While the appeal was considered, Swiatek notified the independent tribunal chair that they had identified that a regulated non-prescription melatonin medicine, manufactured and regulated in Poland, was contaminated with TMZ and hence was the source of their positive test.
The appeal was successful, and the provisional suspension was lifted on October 4, 2024.
TOURNAMENTS SWIATEK MISSED DURING THE PROVISIONAL SUSPENSION
WTA 500 Hana Bank Korea Open
WTA 1000 China Open
WTA 1000 Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open
Iga Swiatek has been one of the leading faces of women’s tennis in recent years. The 23-year-old won the French Open for the third successive season earlier this year. She has as many as five Grand Slam titles, including four French Open and a US Open crown.
Iga Swiatek was last seen in action in the WTA Finals in Riyadh in the first week of November. The 2022 champion bowed out in the group stage.