Andrea Petkovic voiced how the reputation of tennis is being marred after doping controversies around top players like Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner are making headlines. Recently, Swiatek was handed a one-month suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance, trimetazidine (TMZ) in August this year.
Sinner, the reigning US Open and Australian Open champion and No. 1 in world rankings, tested positive for clostebol during his Indian Wells run in March, losing his ranking points and prize money. The ITIA presented the case to an independent tribunal, which ruled that the Italian bore "no fault or negligence". Sinner's lawyers' prompt action to appeal and the 'credible' explanation provided also allowed him to continue playing.
However, WADA's appeal to the CAS, claiming that the player's explanation was not entirely true, can be a game-changer for Sinner after the hearing in 2025. Iga Swiatek, the Pole who stood atop as World No. 1, tested positive for TMZ, and ITIA confirmed her one-month suspension on November 28. Swiatek confirmed that the contamination happened from a non-prescription medication she takes for jet lag and sleep issues.
Despite both bearing no faults, German player Andrea Petkovic noted that the doping controversies of top-tier players was spoiling the look of tennis, as per The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
"It feels like we just talked about Jannik Sinner, it just feels like we've gone through it. And the question is, really, it's not the question it's just a statement from my side, it's a terrible look for tennis. I personally believe Iga's story, I read through all the things, I read through the statements. I personally believe her... but regardless, this is a terrible look for tennis." (8:09)
Petkovic further noted how the sport's advancement prompts the players to resort to vitamins or medications but the positive tests are making the wrong headlines.
"Testing has gotten better. I think tennis has optimized itself so much that all these players are taking every single medication that can make them somehow better... but regardless, it's a terrible f******g look that we have two No. 1s in the world in the same year tested positive for doping." (20:00)
Andrea Petkovic lauded Iga Swiatek for having handled her doping case in the best way
Soon after the ITIA announced her one-month ban, Swiatek was quick to post her video on Instagram, chronicling the doping issue and how she was subjected to strict ITIA proceedings.
The gesture garnered appreciation from Andrea Petkovic, who lauded Swiatek for handling her issue maturely. Speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, the German said:
"I think Iga handled it the best of all the players with her video, speaking right down the barrel in her language which she feels most comfortable... I was really moved by her because you could see the stress and also the relief that it's over in her mind." (23:20)
Iga Swiatek faced back-to-back losses at the Cincinnati Open, US Open and the WTA Finals, losing her No. 1 position to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.