In December, tennis star Iga Swiatek received a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.
She has since returned to the court and is ready to begin her Australian Open campaign.
The Sporting News explains the situation.
MORE: Who are the top grand slam winners of all-time?
What drug did Iga Swiatek test positive for?
Swiatek tested positive for heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in an out-of-competition sample in August 2024.
Following an investigation, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted the player’s explanation that the positive test was a result of contamination of regulated non-prescription medication melatonin.
The medication was manufactured and sold in Poland and was taken by the world No. 2 for jet lag and sleep issues.
Swiatek’s level of fault was subsequently considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’.
“In the last two-and-a-half months I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence,” Swiatek wrote on Instagram in December.
“The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question.
“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.”
MORE: Australian Open prize money – How much is on offer in 2025?
How long was Iga Swiatek’s drug ban?
Swiatek copped a one-month ban.
She was provisionally suspended after her US Open quarter-final loss, leading to her missing the Korea Open, China Open and Wuhan Open.
Her suspension was kept private, with her absence attributed to personal matters and a coaching change.
The provision, which began on September 12, was lifted on October 4 following a successful appeal.
Swiatek returned to the court in November for the WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup finals.
Following these events, she was required to serve the remaining eight days of her suspension, which lasted until December 4.
The Polish player was also required to forfeit her prize money from the Cincinnati Open, with the tournament played immediately after her test.
