Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek ‘100% liable’ for failed drug tests according to ex-player
The fall-out from Iga Swiatek’s failed drug test is continuing to rock tennis and now former British No 1 Greg Rusedski has given his verdict.
Swiatek had been banned for one month – the majority of it served secretly as a provisional suspension – after testing positive for the angina drug trimetazidine, with the leniency of the punishment sparking a huge debate.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Swiatek’s failed test was caused by contamination of the regulated non-prescription medication melatonin, which she took for jet lag and sleep issues.
The news came only three months after men’s world No 1 Jannik Sinner was cleared of any fault over two positive tests in March, with failed tests also kept secret from the public for some time.
Now Rusedski has suggested there are big question marks over the process and outcome of the failed tests for Sinner and Swiatek, as he stated his belief that they are responsible for all substances in their system.
“I think the main issue is the speed of dealing with the positive tests,” said Rusedski on X, formerly Twitter.
“Other players have been in the same situation & it has not been dealt with in the same manner. As an athlete under WADA , you are 100% liable no matter how you are contaminated.”
Swiatek gave her version of events after her drug ban was revealed, as she protested her innocence and pleaded with her fans to stick with her.
“I sit and try to understand but it is really impossible for me to understand something like this,” she said.
“I sit and wonder, why such a big difference in treatment and judgment? I can’t find, and I don’t think there can be a logical answer. It can only be bad will on the part of ITIA, the organisation that did absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence.
“I have always believed in good, I have believed in the fairness of this sport, I have believed in kindness.
“The injustice that was done to me was painful, is painful and maybe will always be painful. How is it possible that in identical cases that happened at about the same time (of the season), ITIA has completely different approaches, to my detriment?”
The company that makes the sleeping product that was contaminated and led to Swiatek’s failed drug test also made a statement, insisting their product was safe despite the contamination.
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“Like the international public opinion and fans of Ms. Iga Świątek, we are saddened by the situation that befell the best tennis player in the world,” said a statement from LEK-AM Pharmaceutical.
“We are deeply moved by Ms. Iga Świątek’s statement of November 28, 2024, not only as employees of a pharmaceutical company but also as fans of Polish sports.
“We are sorry that the incident involved the drug Melatonina LEK-AM 1 mg – especially since our drug has enjoyed the recognition and trust of doctors and patients, including professional athletes, for many years.
“The LEK-AM Pharmaceutical Company produces the highest quality medicines and is regularly inspected by the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate. We meet all the highest standards of drug production. We follow all procedures related to the production of medicines, in accordance with the principles of good manufacturing practices (Good Manufacturing Practice – GMP) regulated by EU and national law.
“Melatonin LEK-AM 1 mg is subject to strict control at every stage of production. Trace amounts of contamination detected in the tested drug packages are significantly below the permissible standard, which means that they do not pose any threat to the health and life of patients. Melatonin LEK-AM 1 mg is safe for patients.
“Due to the current situation, LEK-AM is in constant contact with the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate. We declare full cooperation in order to clarify any doubts. ITIA did not contact us directly.”
While tennis chiefs appear to have cleared Swiatek of blame, the World Anti-Doping Agency could look to appear against their decision, as they have done with Sinner’s doping case.
They have called for Sinner to be handed a one to two-year suspension from tennis with the case set to be heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in early 2025.
READ NEXT: Jannik Sinner ‘could be banned’ from Grand Slam tournaments – but one decision has been made
