Iga Swiatek was banned. © AFP / FAYEZ NURELDINE

Tennis superstar banned for doping

World number two in tennis Iga Swiatek has tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, a well-known heart medication.

28 November 2024

From: dpa/det

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced this on Thursday and gave the Pole a one-month suspension. The five-time major champion accepted this. Swiatek gave the positive sample in August in a test outside of tournaments.

The ITIA accepted the information that the contamination came from the drug melatonin, which Swiatek took to combat jet lag and sleep problems.

Missed three tournaments

"The player was provisionally suspended from September 22 to October 4 and missed three tournaments. These count towards the punishment, which means that eight days remain," said an ITIA statement. This year there has already been a lot of discussion about Jannik Sinner's doping case and the way the case was handled.