Coco Gauff shares her honest opinion on how doping row has impacted Iga Swiatek's confidence

Coco Gauff on Friday, January 10, shared her opinion on how the doping controversy has affected Iga Swiatek's confidence. She suggested the Pole didn't dope intentionally and isn't affected greatly by the controversy.

Gauff and Swiatek share an exciting on-court rivalry, which for now is heavily dominated by the Pole as she leads the head-to-head 11-3.

However, the American has gotten the better of Swiatek twice in recent months, defeating her 6-3, 6-3 in the group stages of the 2024 WTA Finals and 6-4, 6-4 in the final tie between USA and Poland at the 2025 United Cup.

Notably, these wins have come after Iga Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine in September 2024. One might wonder if the World No. 2's confidence has taken a hit after being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons but Coco Gauff feels otherwise.

In response to a question from Sportskeeda at Melbourne Park's main interview room during the pre-tournament press conference, Gauff said:

"No. I mean, I wouldn't say she's dropped her confidence. For me, I don't know her personally well, but just from the interactions that we've had, I definitely don't think anything she did was intentional."

Gauff added that her last battle with the five-time Grand Slam champion was close and could've easily gone the other way.

"I feel like I don't think she was, maybe, I mean, I found out with the rest of the world. I don't think she is not confident in herself. She's playing great tennis. The match we played, I just happened to be a little better that day, maybe won a few points. It could have easily went the other way," Coco Gauff said.

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Coco Gauff: "I don't know Iga Swiatek well enough to tell if she feels some type of way about it"

Coco Gauff (Getty)

Further addressing the same question in the press room at the 2025 Australian Open, Coco Gauff noted she's too distant from Iga Swiatek to know what's on her mind about the doping scandal.

"I think she's fine," Gauff said. "I don't know her well enough to tell you if she feels some type of way about it. Yeah, I can just say from what I see I think she's doing fine. She's still No. 2 in the world and playing amazing tennis. She's always going to play amazing tennis, so… Yeah, I think she'll be fine."

Gauff and Swiatek are the third and second seeds, respectively, in the 2025 Australian Open women's singles draw.

The American is set to start her campaign against compatriot Sofia Kenin in the first round, whereas the Pole will get things going against Katerina Siniakova, the doubles No. 1 from Czechia.