Novak Djokovic-founded PTPA tennis director blasts WTA for their statement on Iga Swiatek’s ban

Iga Swiatek is perfectly fine for being eligible for the Australian Open next year despite the doping controversy.

Novak Djokovic-founded PTPA tennis director blasts WTA for their statement on Iga Swiatek’s ban

Iga Swiatek bows out of 2024 US Open (Image via X)

Tennis authorities are under scrutiny following Iga Swiatek’s suspension for failing a drug test. Critics have raised concerns about the sport’s anti-doping processes. Ahmad Nassar, the head of the Novak Djokovic-founded Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), openly disagreed with the WTA’s statement, which described Swiatek’s case as an “unfortunate incident.”

The controversy began when it was revealed that Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, in August. This occurred shortly before the Cincinnati Open. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) later announced that Swiatek had been handed a one-month suspension.

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I’m sorry. This was not an “unfortunate incident.” A real unfortunate incident is something you cannot control. Tennis can – and should! – no, must! – control its own anti-doping process. Athletes indeed face “challenges.” Like, the weather. And their opponents. But the messy, tennis-establishment imposed anti-doping process is not some “challenge” athletes must overcome. That’s a cop-out.

Ahmad Nassar wrote on X

The ITIA clarified that Swiatek bore “no significant fault or negligence.” The positive test was linked to contamination in melatonin, a medication she used for sleep and jet lag. As a result, the ITIA determined that a shorter suspension was appropriate.

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What “precaution” should Iga have taken here? Pre-test melatonin on the minuscule chance it was contaminated? Come on. Perhaps the tours which claim to “fully support” players should offer pre-tested common medications, like melatonin, to all players? What’s that? Sounds unreasonable? Oh ok – then why do we place even more unreasonable standards and burdens on individual athletes??? And dropping this on Thanksgiving morning in the US is classic subterfuge.

Ahmad Nassar added

Swiatek’s ban lasted from September 12 to October 4. By the time the suspension was publicly announced, she had already served 22 days of it. Only eight days remained when the news became public, leaving her little time away from competition.

With her suspension ending soon, Swiatek is set to return to the court. She is expected to compete at the United Cup in December and the Australian Open in January. The five-time Grand Slam champion is eager to move forward and focus on the upcoming season.

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Iga Swiatek’s early 2025 schedule confirmed

Iga Swiatek’s 2024 season was one of the most eventful in her career. She won five WTA titles, including her fourth French Open, but struggled at other Grand Slam tournaments. By the end of the season, she had also lost her world No. 1 ranking.

Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula
Iga Swiatek (Image via X)

Swiatek will begin her 2025 season at the United Cup from December 27 to January 5. She will represent Poland alongside Hubert Hurkacz, leading their team. Last year, Poland reached the final of the tournament, and Swiatek remained unbeaten in singles matches.

Next, Swiatek will aim for success at the Australian Open, starting on January 12. In 2024, she suffered a surprising third-round loss. She will try to improve on her best Australian Open result from 2022, where she reached the semi-finals. Like last year, she is unlikely to compete in any events between the United Cup and the Australian Open.

After the Australian Open, Swiatek will likely return to action at the Qatar Open from February 10 to 16. This tournament has been a standout in her career, as she has won it three times in a row. In 2024, she defeated Elena Rybakina in the final, and she will look to defend her title in 2025.