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Polish tennis star Iga Świątek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the decision on Thursday, attributing the violation to unintentional contamination.
Świątek tested positive for trimetazidine, a metabolic modulator banned in sports, during a routine doping test. While not a traditional performance-enhancing drug, trimetazidine is believed to improve endurance. According to the ITIA, the contamination originated from melatonin, a non-prescription sleep aid Świątek had been using to manage jet lag.
The ITIA stated that Świątek's fault was minimal, classifying the case under "No Significant Fault or Negligence." Świątek cooperated fully with the investigation, undergoing tests on her medications, which confirmed contamination. "This experience, the most difficult in my life so far, taught me a lot," Świątek said in an emotional video shared on social media. "It took a lot of strength, and there were many sleepless nights."
Świątek's suspension began on September 22 and will end in early December, as her provisional suspension and missed tournaments count towards the penalty. She also forfeits prize money from the Cincinnati Open, where the test was conducted.
Support for Świątek has poured in, with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) affirming her commitment to clean sport. "Iga has consistently demonstrated fair play, and this incident underscores the challenges athletes face with supplements," the WTA stated.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has said it will review the ITIA's decision and reserves the right to appeal. Meanwhile, Świątek has urged fans to continue supporting her, vowing to learn and grow from the experience.
As one of tennis's brightest stars, Świątek's suspension is a stark reminder of the risks athletes face when navigating supplement use.
