Former World No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko has spoken about Iga Swiatek’s recent doping suspension. The 21-time ATP title winner stated that “corruption is everywhere” but defended the reigning Roland Garros champion. He argued that doping would not be the reason someone becomes World No. 1 in tennis.
Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, on August 12 before the Cincinnati Open. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on November 28 that she would serve a one-month suspension. They found Swiatek had “no significant fault or negligence” as the substance came from contaminated non-prescription medication she used for jet lag and sleep problems.
You go to the pharmacy, take a pill for the bronchi, and there is salbutamol, which is considered doping. You always need to be in contact with a sports doctor — this is such nonsense. You will not play better because of a pill. Tennis is tennis, you will not become number one in the world thanks to doping. It used to be easier to regulate doping, but now it has become worse.
Nikolay Davydenko on Match TV
As part of her suspension, Swiatek had to forfeit the 390 ranking points and $159,000 she earned for reaching the Cincinnati semi-finals. Her ban lasted from September 12 to October 4, during which she missed the WTA 1000 events in Beijing and Wuhan. By the time the news was made public, she had already served most of the suspension.
Some kind of nonsense started. When I played, it was easier. We were also pressed, but we took it normally. I wasn’t particularly worried, I drank and ate everywhere, without even thinking about the fact that I could use doping. I don’t know why they tightened the control so much — there is no result. The ATP needs to figure this out. Because in general, it is a very cool organisation that is loyal to the players.
Nikolay Davydenko added
Swiatek returned to competition at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in early November. She wrapped up her season at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga. Having completed her suspension, the World No. 2 is now free to compete in 2025.
