"If I were Iga Swiatek, I would sue you for defamation"- Fans slam Nick Kyrgios, Yevgeny Kafelnikov for insinuating Pole used steroids amid doping row

Russian tennis legend Yevgeny Kafelnikov insinuated that Iga Swiatek set a poor example for the younger generation by using steroids, a claim Nick Kyrgios supported. However, several fans criticized both for their views.

Swiatek tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine on August 12. As a result, she faced a provisional suspension from September 12 to October 14. Swiatek later defended herself, attributing the result to unintentional contamination from a non-prescription melatonin supplement she uses for sleep issues.

Following a thorough investigation, the ITIA determined that the Pole bore “no significant fault or negligence” and issued a one-month suspension starting November 27. However, she can return after December 4, having already served a provisional suspension.

Kyrgios, who frequently criticized Jannik Sinner during his doping controversy, also dismissed Swiatek's defense as an "excuse." The Aussie argued that tennis players can now easily avoid repercussions.

"The excuse that we can all use is that we didn’t know. Simply didn’t know. Professionals at the highest level of sport can now just say “we didn’t know," he said.

Amid the doping controversy, former World No. 1 Kafelnikov also expressed concern that young players might see the use of banned substances as normal, indirectly blaming Swiatek for setting a bad example.

"And the sad part to all of this is that young and upcoming players(12-16 years old) look at they idols and think maybe it’s normal to use steroids in the future and get away with this! Current players setting bad examples for young generations," he wrote on X.

Several fans later criticized the 50-year-old for targeting the five-time major champion. One fan wrote:

"If I were Swiatek, I would sue you for defamation."

"Iga needs to be in her villain era and kick all of their a***s in 2025, I'll be there!" a fan wrote.

"Good thing you're not an idol anymore now. Have you read any official statement about Iga?" a fan asked.

Kyrgios agreed with Kafelnikov and wrote:

"Yup."

However, the Aussie's comments weren't received well by the fans.

"Looooooooooser!!!!!!!" a fan commented.

"And young players look upon you too. With your cocky attitude it sets up even worse example," another chimed in.

"Nick you are the worst example for young players.. nobody there used steroids," one said.

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"I don't think I even knew it existed": Iga Swiatek said following the doping controversy

Iga Swiatek - Source: Getty

Addressing the controversy on Instagram, Iga Swiatek stated that she had never heard of trimetazidine before. She promptly cooperated with the ITIA to resolve the issue.

"It turns out testing revealed historically lowest levels of trimetazidine, a substance I've never heard about before. I don't think I even knew it existed, I have never encountered it, nor did people around me. So I had a strong sense of injustice, and these first few weeks were really chaotic. We instantly reacted and cooperated with the ITIA," she said.

Iga Swiatek's doping test was conducted on August 12, before the Cincinnati Open. Due to this, she had to forfeit the $158,944 prize money she earned for reaching the semifinals at the WTA 1000 event.