5-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has stated being given a one-month doping ban from the game was the “worst experience of my life”.
The Polish participant was ranked world primary when she supplied a pattern containing the angina remedy trimetazidine in an out-of-competition check on 12 August.
The Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company (ITIA) accepted the end result was attributable to contamination of the regulated non-prescription remedy melatonin, manufactured and bought in Poland, which Swiatek took for jet lag and sleep points.
Her degree of fault was subsequently thought of to be on the lowest finish of the vary for “No Significant Fault or Negligence”.
Swiatek was provisionally suspended from 22 September till 4 October however the suspension was not made public.
As an alternative, the three tournaments the 23-year-old missed have been attributed to non-public issues and a change of coach.
The world quantity two will stay suspended till 4 December to make up the month, in addition to forfeit her prize cash for reaching the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open, the match which instantly adopted the check.
‘Great stress and anxiousness’
She wrote on Instagram: “I am lastly allowed… so I immediately wish to share with you one thing that grew to become the worst expertise of my life.
“In the last 2.5 months I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence.
“The one constructive doping check in my profession, displaying unbelievably low degree of a banned substance I’ve by no means heard about earlier than, put every little thing I’ve labored so onerous for my whole life into query.
“Both me and my team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety. Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most. I know I will be stronger than ever.
“I am leaving with you an extended video and proper now I am simply relieved it is over. I wish to be open with you, though I do know I did nothing unsuitable.”
Drug central to different high-profile doping circumstances
The Ladies’s Tennis Affiliation backed Swiatek, saying: “The WTA fully supports Iga during this difficult time.
“Iga has persistently demonstrated a powerful dedication to truthful play and upholding the rules of fresh sport, and this unlucky incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the usage of drugs and dietary supplements.”
Trimetazidine has been central to a number of different high-profile doping circumstances, together with 23 Chinese language swimmers controversially cleared to compete and the Russian teenage determine skater Kamila Valieva testing constructive for the substance.
