Iga Swiatek's Doping Case Officially Closed After She Avoids WADA Appeal
News
Iga Swiatek finally knows the verdict in her doping case after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) didn't appeal her case.
In 2024, the tennis world was rocked by two doping cases of the World No. 1 players. First, the case of the ATP World No. 1, Jannik Sinner, came to light, and only a few months later, also the WTA World No. 1 player tested positive for a banned substance.
Both proved that they were contaminated and while Sinner avoided any suspension, Swiatek had to spend one month away from the tennis courts, missing the entire Asian swing.
However, until January 20th, 2025, neither of these cases were officially closed. The reason was the right to appeal for WADA, as they did in Sinner's case.
It's relatively rare for WADA not to agree with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), but they disagreed with the decision in Sinner's case, and Swiatek was certainly at least a bit nervous before the final verdict from WADA, knowing that Sinner's case was appealed.
Only a couple of days ago, WADA's decision was still pending, but that changed on January 20th, 2025. Shortly after winning her fourth-round match at the Australian Open, Swiatek learned the good news.
As per their statement, WADA chose not to appeal Swiatek's case. That means they agreed with the findings of the ITIA and the subsequent penalty. In their statement, WADA confirmed they made a "thorough review" of the Pole's case.
"The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that following a thorough review, it will not lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of Polish tennis player, Iga Swiatek, who tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a prohibited substance, in August 2024."
Since WADA was able to confirm that Swiatek's explanation of the contamination was possible and probable, they chose not to challenge the case on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"WADA has conducted a full review of the case file related to the ITIA decision, which it received on 29 November. WADA’s scientific experts have confirmed that the specific contaminated melatonin scenario, as presented by the athlete and accepted by the ITIA, is plausible and that there would be no scientific grounds to challenge it at CAS."
"Further, WADA sought advice from external legal counsel, who considered that the athlete’s contamination explanation was well evidenced, that the ITIA decision was compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, and that there was no reasonable basis to appeal it to the CAS."
For Swiatek, this means that this episode of her tennis career is now officially closed. Now, she can focus on her performance at the 2025 Australian Open.
After losing only four games in her last three matches, the Pole will take on Emma Navarro for a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
