Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek ‘drug cheat’ claims contested by former Wimbledon champion
The coronation of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek as Wimbledon champions reignited the debate over the issues around doping in tennis, after both of this year’s champions at the All England Club posted positive drug tests last year.
Swiatek served a one-month suspension at the back end of 2024 after successfully proving that a product she was using to help her sleep was contaminated, while Sinner’s case was a little more complex and continues to be a point of conjecture for many.
The world No 1 claimed he had been contaminated after a member of his team applied a spray to treat a cut on his finger that contained an anabolic steroid.
Sinner and his team then suggested he was contaminated when the team member gave him a massage, with a one-year suspension looking likely until he agreed a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to serve a three-month ban.
The timing of that suspension ensured he didn’t miss any Grand Slam events and after missing match points against Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final last month, Sinner then won his first Wimbledon title with a win against Alcaraz on Sunday.
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Some high-profile ex-players and journalists were quick to suggest the triumphs for Sinner and Swiatek were a bad look for tennis, but former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has hit back at those claims and urged the snipers to ‘do their homework’ before pointing an accusing finger at the new grass court champions.
“Well done Jannik,” began Cash, in a post on his Instagram account.
“I’m happy for him and his team. I know his coach Darren Cahill very well, he is a good mate of mine.
“I have followed what has been going on over the last six months or so, especially around the drug bans.
“I’ve heard a lot of stuff pop up on social media about the ‘drug cheats’ winning Wimbledon, but it’s a little sad that this is still going on.
“Before you spout out some rubbish, I think people need to do a bit of homework. Even ten minutes of homework. Just check out what other champions are saying and know about the drug testing.
“Swiatek and Sinner were contaminated. It was not performance-enhancing. If you think WADA and the International Tennis Integrity Unit don’t do their homework and check this out, then you are absolutely insane.
“So please stop this. It’s misinformation. They are not drug cheats. They are the best players in the world for a reason.
“They are great players, they are determined and focused. Their mental capacity is incredible when you think what Sinner has been through. I’m very happy for them and let’s acknowledge and accept their greatness rather than taint them because your favourite player didn’t win.”
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