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Iga Swiatek's doping controversy hasn't stopped the World No.2 from continuing to prepare for the 2025 season as she shared glimpses from her practice session. The Pole endured a tough latter half of the season in 2024, also losing her World No. 1 ranking in the process.
Swiatek tested positive for low traces of the banned substance trimetazidine in August 2024 during an out-of-competition drug test and was provisionally suspended for three weeks on September 12. She was found to have consumed contaminated melatonin pills, resulting in a positive drug test, and was given a 'no significant fault or negligence' verdict.
The 23-year-old accepted a one-month suspension on November 28 and will be eligible for competition from December 4 after having served three weeks of punishment as provisional suspension from September 12 to October 4, 2024.
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While Swiatek continues to face criticism from players and fans for the alleged lenient punishment, she isn't letting it stop her from preparing for the 2025 season. The 23-year-old shared glimpses from a practice session on her Instagram handle, and could be seen smashing the balls in the indoor court.
The former World No. 1 could also be seen indulging in a fun activity after practice, drawing two small homes with each of her hands simultaneously.
"Dusting off this brain," she said about her drawings.
Swiatek is set to start her season at the 2025 United Cup, which starts on December 27th. She will be in action on December 30th with the Polish national team as they look to improve on their runner-up finish from 2024. She will also be part of the World Tennis League exhibition event, which runs from December 19 to 22.
Iga Swiatek's new coach Wim Fissete outlines areas of improvement in Pole's game
Iga Swiatek made a surprise coaching change last season, bringing in Belgian national Wim Fissete after ending a three-year partnership with Tomasz Wiktorowski. Calling her career a marathon, the Pole noted that the move was aimed at her long-term success.
Fissette, who has previously led Naomi Osaka to Grand Slam titles, shares a similar mindset and has shared the areas of improvement for the World No. 2. Speaking with The National in an interview, he claimed that the Polish player needed to stay true to her game instead of changing it when playing outside of clay.
“In general, outside clay courts, she sometimes feels she really has to change her game too much. Therefore, when playing against strong hitters, she feels she may have to hit harder than them. In that sense, I feel she has to stay a bit truer to her game and use her weapons, like powerful spin. There is no need to play lower. Everyone feels uncomfortable with a high contact point, and I think finding a way to do it is important," he said.
The 44-year-old further added that he wanted to strengthen Swiatek's forehand, which is already a famed one in the sport.
"I believe her forehand is a weapon, but I want to make it an even bigger weapon, perhaps also be stronger in defense and improve the serve with more speed and precision," he said.
Of her five Grand Slam titles, Swaitek has won four on clay at the French Open and has largely struggled on grass courts. With Fissete's addition to her coaching team, the 23-year-old would aim for better results at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
