Iga Swiatek was suspended for one month by the tennis authorities after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ).
Iga Swiatek (Image via X)
Before the Australian Open, Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek spoke about her recent suspension. She tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, in August. The positive test came before the Cincinnati Open, where she was the World No. 1 at the time. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) imposed a provisional ban.
The test, conducted on August 10, showed low levels of trimetazidine, a heart medication also known as TMZ. This happened ten days after Swiatek lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the Cincinnati Open semifinals. She later played in the US Open, losing to Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals. On September 12, Swiatek was informed of her one-month suspension.
During the suspension, Swiatek missed the Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open. She also gave up her Cincinnati Open prize money. The ITIA later confirmed that the positive test was caused by contaminated melatonin, which Swiatek used for sleep and jet lag. She had provided a list of 14 medications and supplements she was taking.
Swiatek returned to play in the WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup last month after serving a 22-day suspension. Her ban officially ended on December 4.
Aryna Sabalenka, the World No.1, aims to hold on to her top spot in the PIF WTA Rankings at the Australian Open. She faces challenges from World No.2 Iga Swiatek and No.3 Coco Gauff. Sabalenka, the defending champion, must defend 2,000 points. Gauff, last year’s semifinalist, is defending 780 points, while Swiatek, who exited in the third round last year, is defending only 130 points.
Sabalenka must reach at least the quarterfinals to stay No.1. However, this depends on Swiatek’s progress. If Swiatek makes it to the third round, Sabalenka will need to reach the semifinals. If Swiatek advances to the semifinals, Sabalenka must reach the final. A final showdown between the two would see the winner claim the No.1 ranking.
Swiatek has the chance to reclaim the top spot early in the tournament. She is defending far fewer points compared to Sabalenka. If Sabalenka and Gauff exit early, Swiatek could rise to No.1 again, even without a deep run.
Gauff is chasing her first-ever World No.1 ranking. To achieve it, she must win the Australian Open. Additionally, Sabalenka must lose before the semifinals, and Swiatek cannot progress beyond the third round.
