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End of an Era: Iga Świątek Faces Brief Suspension After Doping Violation

Iga Świątek, Poland’s tennis sensation and former world No. 1, is temporarily stepping away from the WTA due to a one-month suspension imposed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The penalty follows her inadvertent violation of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. Świątek tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a prohibited substance, during an out-of-competition test in August 2024.

Investigations revealed the source of the banned substance to be a contaminated melatonin supplement she used for jet lag. The ITIA determined the contamination was unintentional, finding Świątek at “no significant fault.” As a result, her suspension was reduced to just one month, a relatively lenient outcome compared to other cases involving similar substances.

Świątek has already served the bulk of her suspension during a provisional ban earlier this year, which kept her out of key tournaments, including the WTA 500 Korea Open and the WTA 1000 China Open. Her official ban ends on December 4, 2024, allowing her to return to the court shortly. However, she has forfeited her Cincinnati Open prize money and ranking points.

The tennis star expressed her commitment to upholding integrity in sports and emphasized the importance of athletes ensuring the safety of all substances they consume. The WTA and ITIA continue to educate players about the strict liability nature of anti-doping regulations.

Świątek’s swift resolution of the case and her proactive cooperation highlight her dedication to clean sport. Fans eagerly await her return, with hopes that she will reclaim her top form and continue her illustrious career.