World number 2 Iga Swiatek banned after testing positive for banned substance

Iga Swiatek has received a one-month ban after a positive test for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ) in August. The International Tennis Integrity Agency made the announcement on Thursday, highlighting that they have accepted the Polish player's explanation that the contamination came from medication.

They concluded there was "No Significant Fault or Negligence" on Swiatek’s part following an ITIA investigation. The suspension handed down to Swiatek comes after the World number 2 tennis star served a provisional suspension, which is set to be included in her month-long ban.

On August 12, 2024, Swiatek produced an out-of-competition urine sample that returned "low levels" of TMZ. Acknowledging the finding, the ITIA issued a pre-charge notification to the athlete regarding an Anti-Doping Rule Violation in September.

It's pertinent to note that TMZ is not a specified substance and that the 23 year old did not have a therapeutic use exemption for it, leading to an automatic provisional suspension starting September 12.

Swiatek disputed the provisional suspension at an independent tribunal on September 22, where she pinpointed the source of contamination. It was then the ITIA revealed: "Whilst the appeal was being considered, the player notified the independent tribunal chair that they had identified that a regulated non-prescription melatonin medicine, manufactured and regulated in Poland, was contaminated with TMZ and hence was the source of their positive test.", reports the Express.

"The contamination was confirmed by the independent and WADA-accredited Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL) in Utah, USA and the scenario was verified by an independent scientific expert from another WADA-accredited laboratory."

The ITIA did not oppose Swiatek's provisional suspension being lifted on October 4. As her appeal was successful and lodged within the allocated 10-day timeframe, the Polish star's provisional suspension was kept under wraps.

The five-time Grand Slam champion sat out three events during her provisional suspension - the WTA 500 in Korea and two WTA 100 events in Beijing and Wuhan. The Wuhan tournament kicked off on October 7 but she was still suspended during the tournament deadline days earlier.

At that time, Swiatek announced she was skipping the tournaments to adjust to changes in her coaching team after parting ways with Tomasz Wiktorowski. After a thorough investigation, the ITIA has "accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional."

The ITIA interviewed Swiatek and her team, and used analysis from two WADA-accredited laboratories.

The body explained: "In relation to the Player's level of fault, as the contaminated product was a regulated non-prescription medication in the player's country of origin and purchase and considering all the circumstances of its use (and other contaminated product cases under the World Anti-Doping Code), the player's level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for 'No Significant Fault or Negligence'."

They proposed a one-month suspension for Swiatek. After admitting the ADRV on November 27 and accepting the sanction, Swiatek had her provisional suspension counted, leaving just eight days remaining on her ban, which concludes on 4 December 2024. Additionally, Swiatek must return her earnings from the Cincinnati Open, which took place after the incident.

Her semi-final ranking points from the event are still under consideration by the ITIA.