On Thursday, the ITIA introduced that one of many samples offered by the Pole in August got here again as optimistic for trimetazidine (TMZ) and that she was provisionally suspended in September earlier than accepting a one-month ban on November twenty seventh. On the time, the world No. 2 was taking some melatonin treatment to assist her with sleep – it turned out to be contaminated – and that is how a optimistic doping check occurred.
Beforehand, the ITIA additionally revealed in August that Jannik Sinner twice examined optimistic for clostebol in March however he wasn’t suspended after it was decided that he “bore no fault or negligence” for what occurred.
Iga Swiatek© Polski Zwiazek Tenisowy/Instagram – Honest Use
“Sometimes I wonder…..,’why the hell up I was not using steroids thru all of my carrier, so I could play instead of 170 matches a year to maybe 300?’ This is really shame what’s happening to tennis now,” the previous world No. 1 wrote on X.
Generally i ponder…..,”why the hell up i was not using steroids thru all of my carrier,so i could play instead of 170 matches a year to maybe 300😀”? That is actually disgrace what’s taking place to tennis now👎🏿
— Kafelnikov Yevgeny (@KYevgeni) November 28, 2024 Kafelnikov would give ‘a life ban’ for a failed doping check
Whereas Sinner averted getting a provisional suspension or any type of ban, his case drew numerous controversy and damaging consideration, with some going so far as alleging that double requirements have been concerned and that the Italian wasn’t banned solely due to his standing. Nonetheless, he should get suspended after the CAS did not settle for the ITIA’s ruling.
Now, the tennis world is rocked by one other high-profile participant failing a doping check and there’ll most likely be numerous talks about this within the upcoming weeks.
In 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist Kafelnikov’s eyes, there must be one and solely sanction for a failed doping check.
“It should be LIFE ban for anybody who gets caught using ban substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance no matter who your are!!!!” the Russian tennis legend stated.
It must be LIFE ban for anyone who will get caught utilizing ban substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance regardless of who your are!!!!
— Kafelnikov Yevgeny (@KYevgeni) November 29, 2024
Additionally, the 50-year-old steered that the Sinner and Swiatek instances are setting damaging examples.
“And the sad part to all of this is that young and upcoming players(12-16 years old) look at they idols and think maybe it’s normal to use steroids in the future and get away with this! Current players setting bad examples for young generations,” the previous two-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged.
And the unhappy half to all of that is that younger and upcoming gamers(12-16 years outdated) have a look at they idols and assume perhaps it’s regular to make use of steroids sooner or later and get away with this🤷♂️! Present gamers setting dangerous examples for younger generations
— Kafelnikov Yevgeny (@KYevgeni) November 29, 2024 What the ITIA stated concerning the Swiatek case?
Based on the report, the 23-year-old turned to melatonin capsules to assist her with sleep points however did not know that it was contaminated with a banned substance. And after the five-time Grand Slam champion offered her protection, the ITIA accepted that the Pole did not knowingly or deliberately take one thing prohibited.
“The ITIA accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional,” the ITIA stated.
Additionally, the ITIA added: “The player’s level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence.'”
In the meantime, Swiatek described it as “the worst experience of my life.” Additionally, she claimed that she even did not know what TMZ was.
“I’m finally allowed… so I instantly want to share with you something that became the worst experience of my life. 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. 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,” the previous world No. 1 wrote on Instagram.
Since Swiatek’s suspension will expire earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season, she’s going to be capable of compete on the Australian Open.
