World no. 2 Iga Swiatek has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of anti-doping measures in professional tennis, revealing she feels “hardened” after enduring a one-month suspension linked to a contaminated melatonin supplement.
Swiatek’s brief ban, served late last year, stemmed from a positive test for trimetazidine, a banned substance found in a sleep aid she took over the counter. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acknowledged the contamination and ruled out intentional doping, allowing her to return quickly.
Now back on tour, Swiatek reflected on the ordeal:
“I’ve been through the worst and was able to come back from that… so I feel like nothing can kind of stop me.”
Her case, alongside fellow star Jannik Sinner’s recent three-month ban for an accidental clostebol ingestion via a spray used by his physiotherapist, has sparked fear and anxiety among players navigating a rigorous anti-doping system.
Swiatek admitted the protocols are taxing:
“Every day when we’re traveling, we need to literally say where we are… If we forget, we might get a no-show. Three no-shows and it’s a ban.”
The “whereabouts” system requires athletes to declare one hour of each day when they are available for testing. Missed reports can trigger sanctions—even without a positive result.
Tunisian player Ons Jabeur echoed Swiatek’s concerns, confessing she’s “traumatized” by early-morning test visits:
“I know we need to keep a clean sport, and that’s very important. But yeah, definitely, I’m just very worried.”
While Swiatek says she’s adjusted and moved forward, her experience highlights the increasing tension between ensuring a clean sport and protecting athletes from undue stress and fear.