Russian tennis star blasts ‘nonsense’ tennis doping rules amid Iga Swiatek’s scandal
Iga Swiatek has completed her one-month suspension after failing a doping test and she is eligible to play the Australian Open.
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Iga Swiatek (Image via X)
Former World No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko has spoken about Iga Swiatek’s recent doping suspension. The 21-time ATP title winner stated that “corruption is everywhere” but defended the reigning Roland Garros champion. He argued that doping would not be the reason someone becomes World No. 1 in tennis.
Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, on August 12 before the Cincinnati Open. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on November 28 that she would serve a one-month suspension. They found Swiatek had “no significant fault or negligence” as the substance came from contaminated non-prescription medication she used for jet lag and sleep problems.
You go to the pharmacy, take a pill for the bronchi, and there is salbutamol, which is considered doping. You always need to be in contact with a sports doctor — this is such nonsense. You will not play better because of a pill. Tennis is tennis, you will not become number one in the world thanks to doping. It used to be easier to regulate doping, but now it has become worse.
Nikolay Davydenko on Match TV
As part of her suspension, Swiatek had to forfeit the 390 ranking points and $159,000 she earned for reaching the Cincinnati semi-finals. Her ban lasted from September 12 to October 4, during which she missed the WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan. By the time the news was made public, she had already served most of the suspension.
Some kind of nonsense started. When I played, it was easier. We were also pressed, but we took it normally. I wasn’t particularly worried, I drank and ate everywhere, without even thinking about the fact that I could use doping. I don’t know why they tightened the control so much — there is no result. The ATP needs to figure this out. Because in general, it is a very cool organisation that is loyal to the players.
Nikolay Davydenko added
Swiatek returned to competition at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in early November. She wrapped up her season at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga. Having completed her suspension, the World No. 2 is now free to compete in 2025.
Iga Swiatek to headline action at the Australian Open
Iga Swiatek will head into the 2025 Australian Open as the second seed, aiming to challenge Aryna Sabalenka for the title. Coco Gauff, the third seed, is also expected to be a strong contender in Melbourne. Both players are looking to prevent Sabalenka from achieving a rare third consecutive Australian Open victory. These three are firmly established at the top of the projected seedings, with a noticeable gap separating them from the rest of the field.
The battle for the fourth seed is heating up between Jasmine Paolini and Qinwen Zheng. Just four points separate the two in the WTA rankings, making their performances in the United Cup critical. This competition not only offers a chance for national pride but also an opportunity to secure a higher seeding for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Further down the rankings, Elena Rybakina is projected as the sixth seed but must fend off Jessica Pegula, who is ranked seventh and will compete in Brisbane. Meanwhile, Maria Sakkari, currently holding the 32nd seed, is under pressure from Elise Mertens and Dayana Yastremska, who are ranked 33rd and 34th. Both are within striking distance of overtaking Sakkari for the final-seeded position.
Paula Badosa, the 2024 WTA Comeback Player of the Year, is ranked 12th but is only 13 points ahead of Diana Shnaider in 13th. A top-12 seed would allow her to avoid facing a top-four seed in the fourth round. Similarly, Jelena Ostapenko, Mirra Andreeva, and Beatriz Haddad Maia are in a tight race for a top-16 seeding, which offers its own benefits. Elina Svitolina and Katie Boulter are also fighting to stay in the top 24, as dropping lower could result in a challenging third-round matchup against a top-8 seed.
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Fahad Hamid
(649 Articles Published)