Iga Swiatek sanctioned for doping, "accepts one-month suspension" from tennis following August 2024 failed drugs test

Iga Swiatek failed a drugs test in August 2024 and "accepted a one-month suspension" from competition, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).

The ITIA released a statement on Thursday (28 November), saying that the Polish tennis player had tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), in an out-of-competition test carried out under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme on 12 August 2024.

Swiatek was notified of the failed test on 12 September 2024, and was told then of her provisional suspension, starting from that date. She was ranked world number 1 in women's singles by the WTA at the time.

She claimed the positive test was a result of contaminated melatonin tablets from Poland, which the player was taking "for jet lag and sleep issues," and for which she did not hold a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

The ITIA said that, after further investigation, they had "accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin)," and offered Swiatek a one-month suspension because "the player’s level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’."

Swiatek "accepted the sanction" and her period of provisional suspension (12 September to 4 October) counts towards the suspension. She will face a further eight days of ineligibility, which will end on 4 December 2024.

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) also released a statement, saying the organisation "fully supports Iga during this difficult time. Iga has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fair play and upholding the principles of clean sport, and this unfortunate incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the use of medications and supplements."