Iga Swiatek believes that Jannik Sinner’s controversial three-month suspension settlement was “fair”

Iga Swiatek's doping case was not appealed by WADA after she served her one-month suspension handed to her by the ITIA.

Iga Swiatek believes that Jannik Sinner’s controversial three-month suspension settlement was “fair”

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek (via ATP/X)

Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner made headlines last few months due to their doping saga, which was a real bombshell to the sport. However, both players have seen their controversial cases come to an end, with the former serving a one-month ban and the latter recently agreeing a three-month suspension settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Nonetheless, Sinner’s recent settlement has drawn attention, with former and current players criticizing the way the case was handled. Furthermore, Sinner’s case has since overshadowed Swiatek’s doping case, which WADA announced last year that it would not lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration (CAS) for testing positive for trimetazidine.

YouTube video

The Italian star was facing a potential one or two-year ban from tennis after WADA appealed to the CAS against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after it had announced that he tested positive twice for clostebol. On Saturday (February 15) in a surprising settlement deal, WADA withdrew its appeal against Sinner.

Swiatek, who is in Dubai ahead of the WTA 1000 event, was asked about her reaction to Sinner’s agreement with WADA. The former WTA World No.1 revealed that the settlement was fair in the end.

Because of Jannik’s or my situation, we are like kind of even celebrities, besides playing tennis. Everybody thinks of it from a hundred different perspectives. But I just try to stick to the facts and read the documents. I trust that the process at the end went fair. That’s the only thing I do because I try not to judge. I know that for Jannik, like, I don’t know because I haven’t talked to him, but I assume that it must have been a tough time, tough process.

Iga Swiatek said via Dubai Duty Tennis Championship press

Swiatek will be on the court on Tuesday (February 18) at the Dubai Duty Tennis Championships. The World No.2 failed to defend her Qatar Open title last week after reaching the semifinals. She will open her account in Dubai against a qualifier.

Iga Swiatek aims to be at her best in the clay season after a title-less start to the season

Iga Swiatek is yet to win a title this season having played in two tournaments. The Polish star has reached the semifinals of the two events, but by this time last year, she had already recorded one title win. Also, she enjoyed a good run during the clay season, winning three titles, including the French Open.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (via Instagram)

During the aforementioned interview, she revealed that she hopes to play her best game during the clay season.

Obviously, I always love the Clay court season is going to be the one that I’m going to, I don’t know, probably hope that I’m going to play my game. But I feel like I can play my game more and more on every surface, even little bit more on grass every year.

Iga Swiatek said

Swiatek lost 610 points after failing to win the Qatar Open title. That has now extended the gap between her and World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. However, if she fails to defend her points in the clay season, she will drop further in her ranking position.