- The Polish star feared his reputation would be tarnished
- A month-long doping suspension recently follows
- Nick Kyrgios expressed his criticism
Tennis star Iga Swiatek admitted she feared her reputation was in tatters following a positive doping test earlier this year, before raising eyebrows when she declared there will “obviously be some negative comments” in a likely attack on the Australian Nick Kyrgios.
It comes after Kyrgios voiced his criticism after the four-week suspension imposed on Swiatek and men’s world number one Jannik Sinner escaped any sanction for the same offence.
Swiatek, 23, a five-time Grand Slam winner, tested positive in an out-of-competition sample in August for a banned substance.
The world number two received a one-month suspension from the ITIA, which accepted that the test result was caused by contamination of her sleeping medication.
Sinner, the defending Australian Open champion, escaped a suspension in August despite failing two drug tests.
The sport was then rocked by a third doping saga when Australian Max Purcell went into a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting to violating the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP).
Tennis star Iga Swiatek admitted she feared the reaction to her positive doping test, before declaring “there will be some negative comments” in a possible attack on Nick Kyrgios.
It comes after Kyrgios voiced his criticism after the four-week suspension imposed on Swiatek and men’s world number one Jannik Sinner escaped any sanction for the same offence.
Kyrgios tweeted on X ‘our sport is cooked’ after Iga Swiatek ban issued in August
The Australian was stunned. Part of Jannik Sinner’s defense was the use of massage cream.
World number one Sinner will look to defend his Australian Open crown in January
The sport was then rocked by a third doping saga when Australian Max Purcell (pictured) went into a voluntary provisional suspension after admitting breaching the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP) just before Christmas.
“This news was devastating to me because I pride myself on being an athlete who always makes sure everything is safe for WADA,” Purcell. posted on Instagram before Christmas once the development became public.
‘I voluntarily offered this information to the ITIA and have been as transparent as possible in trying to put this whole situation behind us. I hope to return to the court soon.”
Meanwhile, speaking ahead of her United Cup campaign in Sydney, Swiatek was “really grateful” not to have come under intense criticism.
“The reaction in Poland basically – because this is mainly what I read – has been quite supportive,” he said.
“I really appreciate it a lot, because even, you know, when I missed the China swing and no one knew why it wasn’t that easy.”
“After the information about my case was published, I was afraid that most people would turn their back on me, but I felt the support and it’s great.”
Swiatek also does not expect WADA to appeal his case and sent a message to those who question his integrity.
“Obviously there will be some negative comments and you’re not going to avoid them,” he said.
“That’s something that will always follow us, no matter what.”