Iga Swiatek has made another change to her staff as she is parting ways with long-time PR manager Paula Wolecka and filling in that spot with Daria Sulgostowska.
For the Polish tennis superstar, this is a second team change she has made over the last few months. Previously, she put a curtain on her three-year partnership with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in early October and replaced him with Wim Fissette.
Since making that change, one major news dropped about Swiatek – it was revealed last Thursday that she failed a doping test in August and was handed a provisional suspension in September. However, she was able to prove that it was caused by a contaminated melatonin medication – one she was unaware of – so her fault was deemed as “the lowest range of No Significant Fault or Negligence” so therefore she received a symbolic one-month suspension.
Now, she also has a new PR. But according to Polish tennis insider Michal Samulski, that move was “previously planned.”
“There is a previously planned change in Iga Swiatek’s management team. After almost 4 years the cooperation between Iga and her PR manager Paula Wolecka is coming to an end. Daria Sulgostowska became Iga’s new PR manager,” he reported on X.
There is a previously planned change in Iga Swiatek’s management team. After almost 4 years the cooperation between Iga and her PR manager Paula Wolecka is coming to an end. Daria Sulgostowska became Iga’s new PR manager.
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) December 3, 2024
Meanwhile, the five-time Grand Slam champion’s new PR also released a statement.
“Joining the team of Iga Światek, a person who sets sports and social standards, is an incredible distinction. As someone who has always been passionate about sports, especially tennis, and who also deals professionally with communication, I appreciate and greatly respect the image work done by the entire team so far,” Sulgostowska said.
Iga Swiatek© Billie Jean King Cup/Instagram – Fair Use
Swiatek doesn’t want her image to be tarnished
Before the ITIA made the announcement on November 28th, no one had an idea that there was a doping investigation into the world No. 2. However, then became clear why the 23-year-old missed the entire Asian swing due to “personal reasons.”
In their message, the ITIA underlined several times and greatly explained how the process went and why they determined that Swiatek absolutely didn’t knowingly or intentionally take a banned substance. In her own statement – which came in the form of a recorded video message – the former world No. 1 denied even knowing what was trimetazidine (TMZ) before all of this happened.
“On September 12, I learned that my anti-doping test sample, collected on August 12 before the Cincinnati tournament, was positive. It was a blow for me, I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious. At first I couldn’t understand how that was even possible and where it had come from. It turns out testing revealed historically lowest levels of trimetazidine, a substance I’ve never heard about before. I don’t think I even knew it existed. I have never encountered it, nor did people around me” Swiatek said.
In the same message, the Pole said it was “the toughest battle of her life” and something that very negatively impacted her mental health.
While the majority of fans and the tennis community members accepted her explanation, there were some who questioned and wondered if double standards were involved. And when addressing what happened, the four-time French Open winner expressed hope that people would look at her the same way they did before the doping situation.
“I have a sense this situation could undermine the image I’ve been building for years. Which is why I hope you will understand what happened, understand how I had no control over it, and could do nothing to prevent this unfortunate turn of events,” she added in the message.
Iga Swiatek© Iga Swiatek/Instagram – Fair Use
The WTA sided by Swiatek
Shortly after the ITIA’s announcement, the WTA also released a statement, in which they publicly expressed their support to one of their best players and noted that they believed it was nothing else but “an unfortunate incident.”
“The WTA fully supports Iga during this difficult time. Iga has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fair play and upholding the principles of clean sport, and this unfortunate incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the use of medications and supplements,” the WTA said.
“The WTA remains steadfast in our support for a clean sport and the rigorous processes that protect the integrity of competition. We also emphasize that athletes must take every precaution to verify the safety and compliance of all products they use, as even unintentional exposure to prohibited substances can have significant consequences.”
Since Swiatek already served 22 days during her provisional suspension, her ban will expire on Wednesday.
Between 19-22 December, she will play at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi – an exhibition event. Then, Swiatek will kick off her 2025 season at the United Cup before the attempts to win her first Australian Open title.
Tennis World USA