ITIA chief explains why Iga Swiatek was suspended but allowed to play the WTA Finals and BJK Cup

ITIA Chief reveals that World No. 2 Iga Swiatek's doping one-month suspension followed the body guidelines.

ITIA chief explains why Iga Swiatek was suspended but allowed to play the WTA Finals and BJK Cup

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has received unprecedented criticism following Iga Swiatek‘s doping case. The tennis body found itself deep in controversy after exonerating Jannik Sinner of any doping charges. The ITIA CEO Karen Moorhouse recently explained some critical issues around Swiatek’s failed drug test.

In November, the tennis world woke up to the news that Swiatek had been banned for one month after testing positive for trimetazidine. However, most of the Polish star provisional suspension was served secretly. The ITIA accepted Swiatek’s defense that the failed drug test was caused by contamination of her melatonin medication, which she took for jet lag and sleep issues.

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Nonetheless, there has been some confusion over Swiatek’s suspension. Initially, the former World No.1 was suspended for 22 days and then played in the WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga. After that, she then served her final eight days of the one-month suspension.

Normally, when players are suspended, they are not expected to play until the ban is over. But that was not Swiatek’s case. ITIA chief Karen Moorhouse revealed that the guidelines for doping cases was followed through in the World No. 2 case.

The clock started ticking from the day she received the pre-charge letter, she was immediately provisionally suspended. As she is entitled to do under the rules, she challenged that suspension and ultimately that challenge was successful. It took 22 days from when we sent a pre-charge notice for a full test of the contaminated product to be carried out and she was then informed that her provisional suspension was being lifted. So she missed the three tournaments in Asia and her suspension is then lifted. When the ultimate sanction is decided to be a one-month suspension, the 22 days she has already served is deducted from it and that meant she had eight days left to complete the suspension.

Karen Moorhouse said via Tennis365

Swiatek will hope that her case is not appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The Agency did appeal the ITIA ruling that Sinner had no significant fault or negligence on his part. They are seeking for at least a two-year ban on Sinner from the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Top WTA star reveals the current mood of players following recent doping cases

As Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek prepare for the 2025 season, their doping saga will always be at the back of their minds. In fact, with the recent criticism from Nick Kyrgios, there are genuine fears that their professional career may be hanging in the balance. However, some players have become apprehensive because of recent cases.

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner (via X)

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu recently revealed that a lot of players are beginning to be careful with the supplements they take.

A lot of the players I know are quite apprehensive. Everything we take, we’re aware of the situation and how easily things can be contaminated. There are certain supplements that I may want to take, but I can’t take them because they’re sold over the counter and not batch tested.

Emma Raducanu said via CNA

Sinner will open his 2025 campaign at the Australian Open which starts on January 12. The Italian won the title in January this year and will be hoping to defend. Swiatek, on the other hand, will represent Team Poland at the United Cup which starts on December 31.