Iga Swiatek failed drugs test: Taylor Fritz slams ‘insane’ fan bias amid controversy
Taylor Fritz has slammed “insane” fan bias following the revelation of Iga Swiatek’s one-month suspension for failing a drugs test.
WTA world No 2 Swiatek tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine in August, with news of the Pole’s 30-day ban made public on Thursday.
The five-time Grand Slam champion has had 22 days of her suspension backdated to when she was provisionally suspended, meaning she has only eight more days left to serve.
Similar to the controversy that engulfed ATP world No 1 Jannik Sinner after his doping sanction emerged earlier in 2024, the reaction on social media has been strong – and often partisan.
In response, ATP world No 4 Fritz slammed those who could not form an unbiased opinion on the case.
On Twitter/X, he wrote: “What drives me CRAZY about these situations (in terms of going on X) is not the actual cases themselves.
“It’s tough to know exactly what happened/all the details in these specific instances, so the speculation talk isn’t really my favorite thing to do.
“It’s fine to have your own honest opinions but what I can’t fathom and what is so upsetting to see as a player, is the INSANE bias from the tennis public supporting whatever story pushes the agenda they want to be pushed.
“If it’s a rival of the player you support that tests positive then you are on team ‘let’s call them a doper/cheater/disgrace them as much as possible’ and if it’s your fav player that it’s about then it’s ‘innocent no questions asked.’
“How are you not able to remove your own personal bias and form an educated and honest opinion for yourself?
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“Even if as the player, you can prove your innocence (not saying anyone is or isn’t) people that support rival players/have bias against you will always blindly push the narrative you are a cheater, and that fact really makes me sad for all the true innocent players that have to go through this.”
Swiatek was found to be of “no significant fault or negligence” for the positive test, which occurred on August 12 – shortly before the Cincinnati Open.
The Pole was provisionally suspended on September 12 and missed three tournaments, though her suspension was lifted on appeal on October 4.
That enabled Swiatek to compete at the WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup Finals and end her season with a 64-9 record, winning five titles and fifth Grand Slam at the French Open.
“I admit this situation hit me hard because all my life I strived to have a career that could be an example for generations to come, a career that’s going to be fair in a sense, that will show I was fair and will embody all the values a top athlete should stand for,” she said.
“I have a sense this situation could undermine the image I’ve been building for years, which is why I hope you will understand what happened, understand how I had not control over it, and could do nothing to prevent this unfortunate turn of events.
“So now I have fought the toughest battle of my life, and I hope you will stay with me and keep supporting me.”
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