Iga Swiatek Opens Up About Emotional Reaction to Doping Case and the Costs of Proving Innocence

Iga Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has candidly shared the emotional toll and financial burden of defending herself in a high-profile doping case. Speaking on Poland’s TVN24 program Fakty po Faktach with Anita Werner, Swiatek revealed the “intense” reaction she experienced upon learning about her positive test result and the substantial expenses incurred to clear her name.

The Case: Positive Test and Provisional Suspension

Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, from a sample collected at the Cincinnati Open in August. She was notified of the result in September and faced a provisional suspension that led her to miss three tournaments in Asia.

After presenting her case to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in early October, the 23-year-old was found to have “no significant fault or negligence.” The ITIA concluded that the positive test was likely due to a contaminated supplement. Swiatek received a one-month suspension, much of which was served in October, allowing her to compete in the WTA Finals later in the season.

Emotional Response to the News

Swiatek described her reaction as “violent,” marked by confusion, panic, and overwhelming emotion. “There were a lot of tears,” she admitted. “When I opened the email, I thought it was a routine notification. But this time, the email was much more serious.”

Unable to finish reading the message due to her distress, Swiatek turned to her management team for support. “My reaction was as if someone had died or something serious had happened to my health,” she recalled. “Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. I handed my phone to my team and let them take over.”

Taking Action: Hiring Experts and Covering Costs

Determined to clear her name, Swiatek quickly assembled a team of experts, including a U.S.-based lawyer specializing in doping cases. “Being in a position to bring together people who could help me immediately was crucial,” she explained. “We brainstormed just hours after I found out about the situation.”

Swiatek acknowledged that her financial resources played a pivotal role in her defense. “I’ve been fortunate to earn enough money to invest in my defense without hesitation,” she said. “I know many athletes don’t have this opportunity, and that can hold them back.”

The Costs of Proving Innocence

Swiatek disclosed that her legal and expert fees totaled approximately $70,000 for the lawyer and €15,000 for expert opinions and testing. While the exact figures were difficult for her to recall, the financial burden extended beyond these expenses, including forfeiting prize money from the Cincinnati Open.

“Honestly, losing the prize money doesn’t matter to me,” Swiatek said. “What’s most important is proving my innocence.”

A Test of Strength and Integrity

The ordeal has left a lasting impression on Swiatek, who admitted that the experience required immense emotional strength. She reflected on the broader implications for athletes in similar situations, emphasizing the importance of fairness and transparency.

By openly discussing the challenges she faced, Iga Swiatek has not only defended her reputation but also highlighted the financial and emotional hurdles that come with proving innocence in professional sports. Her commitment to integrity has earned widespread admiration, reinforcing her status as a role model in the tennis world.