Iga Swiatek admitted she didn’t want her doping case to be made public until she proved her innocence as the Pole felt it would be much harder to clean her name if that happened.
In late November, the ITIA announced that the world No. 2 accepted a one-month ban after her doping test from August came back as positive for trimetazidine – it was caused by contaminated melatonin medication.
When the news dropped, it was also revealed that the Pole was provisionally suspended for 22 days shortly after the US Open.
In their statement, the ITIA also said that Swiatek “bore no significant fault or negligence” and that the investigation clearly determined that she didn’t intentionally or knowingly take a banned substance.
After reviewing the ruling, the WADA also decided not to appeal the verdict – and with that – the five-time Grand Slam champion’s doping case officially ended.
Swiatek: Without the proper explanation, people would’ve probably judged me
“For sure, it wasn’t easy to keep everything inside,” the 23-year-old told The Athletic.
“On the other hand, I had my support team and my family as well. So I think it’s important for your closest ones to be there when you need them.
“Also, I know that it would be tricky if the info got out to the public earlier because without the proper explanation and actually without the whole process that happened afterwards, of me proving that I’m not guilty… I think without this, people will judge me straight away.”
The situation also forced Swiatek to step out of her comfort zone and try to be as patient as possible, all while not having an uncertain fate.
“The most difficult thing was just not knowing what’s going to happen with me for some time, not having my own fate in my hands. It was a tough lesson because I’m a control freak,” the Pole said.
Meanwhile, after losing to Madison Keys in the Australian Open semifinal, Swiatek has been through to the Doha quarterfinal, where she plays against Elena Rybakina.
Tennis World USA