Iga Swiatek reacts to WADA doping appeal decision as former tennis stars share their opinions

Ewan West 20 Jan 2025 6:31 PM

Iga Swiatek speaks to the media

Iga Swiatek has spoken for the first time since the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced it would not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in her doping case.

WADA revealed the decision shortly after Swiatek‘s 6-0, 6-1 demolition of Eva Lys in the fourth round of the 2025 Australian Open on Monday.

The five-time Grand Slam winner tested positive for trimetazidine, a prohibited metabolic agent, on August 12 last year.

In a statement, WADA said: “WADA has conducted a full review of the case file related to the ITIA decision, which it received on 29 November.

“WADA’s scientific experts have confirmed that the specific contaminated melatonin scenario, as presented by the athlete and accepted by the ITIA, is plausible and that there would be no scientific grounds to challenge it at CAS.

“Further, WADA sought advice from external legal counsel, who considered that the athlete’s contamination explanation was well evidenced, that the ITIA decision was compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, and that there was no reasonable basis to appeal it to the CAS.”

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On November 28, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Swiatek had received a one-month ban as it was deemed she carried “no significant fault or negligence” for the failed test.

The ITIA accepted Swiatek’s explanation that the substance entered her body due to the contamination of non-prescription medication she had been using for jet lag and sleep issues.

Following her win against Lys in Melbourne, Swiatek was asked if she was relieved to learn that WADA would not challenge the verdict.

“Well for sure, I’m just satisfied that I can get a closure, kind of, and I can just move on and finish this whole process, because I just want to play tennis and focus on the tournament. So yeah, I’m just satisfied,” the world No 2 said in her press conference.

Seven-time major champion and former world No 1 Justine Henin gave her reaction to the news.

“It’s a great relief for Iga. I’m surprised how well she’s handled it as the past few weeks have been so difficult,” the Belgian told Eurosport.

“She’s smiling today, is fresh and said she had a better draw this year. Maybe this has helped her in some way to take the attention away from her results and the pressure from her matches.

“You obviously don’t want this attention but it was maybe an opportunity to work on herself and come back with a positive attitude. Now it’s behind her and her tennis is in a good place with the adversity.”

Former British No 1 Laura Robson added: “That’s closure. I’m sure that will be the last time we talk about it. If you read the report, everything is very clear and it was never intentional. Sometimes you do get unlucky.

“To put this behind her and focus on the next match, she’s been doing that anyway. I don’t know how you can be playing this well without any other thoughts other than tennis because she has been steamrolling through the draw. On paper, a favourable draw but you’ve got to beat who is in front of you and she’s barely losing games.”

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