Polish tennis sensation and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek recently revealed the reason behind her unexpected absence from the courts. Swiatek, who has been a dominant force in the tennis world, underwent medical testing in early August before the Cincinnati Open.
This period of uncertainty culminated in an important announcement in September when Swiatek revealed her positive test result. The ITIA handed her a one-month sanction, a stark contrast to the four-year suspension faced by Romanian WTA player Simona Halep.
In a surprising decision, the case raised fresh doubts about the consistency of the WTA’s handling of doping violations.
Halep, who faced a four-year suspension, was forced to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). After a lengthy battle, she had her suspension reduced to nine months, but the decision also meant that she had to start her ranking from scratch, a significant setback in her career.
Another player who spoke out was Australian Nick Kyrgios, who, though sidelined from the courts, has been active in the commentary booth, analyzing top matches like the US Open. Kyrgios took to X to post his frustration, declaring that “the sport is dead.” He added that the phrase “I didn’t know” seems to be something anyone can use without consequences.
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