Iga Swiatek's friendship with WADA President pinpointed by sports journalist amid ongoing doping controversy

Iga Swiatek’s doping controversy has caused a storm in the tennis world. A sports journalist has spotlighted the player’s friendship with WADA President Witold Banka, criticizing his social media posts praising the former World No.1.

Swiatek was handed a one-month suspension on November 27 by the ITIA, after she tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication that is known more commonly as TMZ. The Pole had taken the doping test on August 12 and was informed about failing it a month later.

The French Open champion said it was due to contamination of the non-prescription medicine melatonin that she was taking to cope with jet lag and sleeping problems. The ITIA ruled that Swiatek had not intentionally consumed the banned substance and confirmed a month of suspension, three weeks of which she completed in October after a provisional ban on September 12.

Iga Swiatek is free to compete after December 4 and the World Anti-Doping Agency has the right to appeal to CAS about her case. In light of this, sports journalist Edmund Willison has called out WADA President Witold Banka for his posts praising the tennis star in the past, while pushing for officials to remain neutral about players:

“‘IGA - Incredible, Genius, Amazing 😉Bravo’ - Just the five tweets from the WADA president Witold Banka praising Iga Swiatek over the years. WADA now has right of appeal. Better for anti-doping officials to keep it neutral. You never know what's around the corner."

Her provisional suspension forced Swiatek to miss the Korea, China, and Wuhan Open.

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Iga Swiatek opens up about her doping controversy

Iga Swiatek | Getty Images

Iga Swiatek was first informed of her failed doping test on September 12. However, at the time, the Pole hadn't revealed the reason behind her withdrawal from tournaments she would consequently miss, stating that she was opting out of the events due to "personal matters".

Now, Swiatek is finally opening up about the controversy. After accepting the one-month suspension that the ITIA handed her, the Pole took to Instagram to give fans her side of the story, writing:

“I'm finally allowed... so I instantly want to share with you something that became the worst experience of my life. In the last 2.5 months I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I've never heard about before, put everything I've worked so hard for my entire life into question. Both me and my Team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety.

Now everything has been carefully explained, and with a clean slate I can go back to what I love most. I know I will be stronger than ever. I'm leaving with you a long video and right now I'm just relieved it's over. I want to be open with you, even though I know I did nothing wrong. Out of respect for my fans and the public, I'm sharing all the details of this longest and toughest tournament of my career. My biggest hope is that you will stay with me.”

Outside of the doping controversy, Swiatek had a phenomenal 2024. She began with a title finish at the 2024 Qatar TotalEnergies Open followed by wins at the BNP Paribas Open, Mutua Madrid Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, and the French Open.