Iga Swiatek Recalls the ‘Hardest’ Moment During her Doping Scandal Last Year
Iga Swiatek got a one-month suspension from WADA in 2024.
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Iga Swiatek became the second high-profile tennis player to test positive for a banned substance last year, with the five-time Grand Slam champion receiving a one-month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
For Swiatek, the most difficult part of the scandal was not the ban itself, but the reaction that followed. She admitted that facing constant questions in press conferences was emotionally draining, especially as it affected the image she had built over the years.
The timing made it worse as she had already withdrawn from several late-2024 tournaments due to fatigue, which fueled further speculation about her situation. Swiatek said in her post-match press conference:
Honestly, it wasn’t so bad, really…The first few weeks after receiving the news were the hardest, and when I got here, I just played without any expectations. I didn’t play my best tennis. I also felt like I struggled to concentrate mentally, but I have to say the hardest part was talking to the press, honestly, and not being able to say anything, knowing everyone was upset that I missed the tour in China. I wanted to show that I’m okay. I just had some things I can’t talk about, but there are so many different things, I can’t describe them all so quickly.
The ITIA announced that Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a medication for heart conditions that can enhance endurance in sports. The case drew comparisons to men’s World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who had tested positive for clostebol earlier that year but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Swiatek, however, was found to have “no significant fault or negligence.” The 24-year-old explained that the banned substance entered her system through a contaminated batch of melatonin, which she regularly uses to manage jet lag and sleep issues.
Amanda Anisimova knocks out Iga Swiatek from WTA Finals
Amanda Anisimova defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The victory earned Anisimova a spot in the semifinals, joining Elena Rybakina in the next round.
With this win, Anisimova avenged her loss to Swiatek at Wimbledon and extended her strong form after also defeating the Polish star at the US Open. Swiatek, despite taking the first set, was eliminated from the tournament in the group stage.
The WTA Finals continue with several key matches, including the much-anticipated clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. The tournament has already delivered high-intensity encounters and major upsets.
For Anisimova, this event in Riyadh is more than just a debut — it is a statement of resilience and ambition. Facing her Wimbledon nemesis, she stepped onto the King Saud University Sports Arena court carrying the weight of that 6-0, 6-0 loss from July, a result that had stunned fans worldwide.
Iga Swiatek ends her 2025 season
World No.2 Iga Swiatek has experienced a turbulent season from start to finish. What began with uncertainty has ended in much the same way.
During the first half of the year, she struggled to find form and failed to win a single WTA title. She even lost her Roland Garros crown, a tournament she once dominated.
The middle of the season, however, brought a change in momentum. Swiatek captured her first Wimbledon title, defeating Amanda Anisimova with a commanding double bagel victory. She also triumphed at the Cincinnati Open, showing flashes of her best tennis. Yet, early exits at both the US Open and the WTA Finals have once again raised concerns about her consistency.
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