'I don't think there is any reason' - Iga Swiatek opens up over WADA appeal on doping case

It is clear that not every year is devoid of controversies, but the year 2024 was something extremely different. Two of the most outstanding tennis players, Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, have been involved in a much-lamented doping saga that has fuelled fans and players to criticise the authorities' inconsistent actions taken against those who have been involved. With tensions rising, Polish star Iga Swiatek has addressed the matter and has further opened up about whether WADA would appeal against her or not.

The 23-year-old tennis legend tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication manufactured and supplied in her nation, during an out-of-competition sample testing in August when she claimed the WTA top spot. However, the Polish star requested for her case to be sent to the ITIA, and the panel accepted her defence that the violation was indeed unintentional. However, she still received a one-month ban from the tour, and as a result, she had to skip the entire Asian Swing and later lost her WTA top rank.

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Iga Swiatek expresses confidence in avoiding suspension amid Jannik Sinner appeal

Having returned to the fold at the ongoing 2025 United Cup at RAC Arena in Perth, Iga Swiatek expressed that while the incident had been mentally challenging for her, the public response wasn't so bad. During a pre-tournament presser, the Polish star felt that WADA had no reason to appeal against her as compared to Jannik Sinner's case.

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Iga Swiatek was asked if she’s nervous that WADA will appeal her case like they did with Jannik Sinner’s

“Iga, I was just wondering if, given everything that's gone on, you were nervous coming to the first tournament of the year? I know you said you haven't been really much on… pic.twitter.com/RbvdqZx70H

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 27, 2024

“Well, I don't think there is any reason, because I didn't play three tournaments. I was suspended for a long time, and I lost No. 1, you know, because of that. I also know how the procedure worked, and I gave every possible evidence, and there is not much, honestly, to do more. So I don't know; there is no point to do an appeal, in our opinion, you know. But I guess overall, like, this whole process was pretty abstract sometimes and hard to understand from a point of view where you don't think about the law and everything," Iga Swiatek said.

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