Naomi Osaka stands in solidarity with Iga Swiatek amid criticism from other players following Pole's surprise doping ban

Naomi Osaka has extended her support to Iga Swiatek after the World No. 2 received a one-month suspension for doping violations. The Polish tennis player had tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) during an out-of-competition test in August.

Swiatek's urine sample from August 12 tested positive for the presence of a small amount of TMZ and was provisionally suspended for three weeks from September 12 to October 4. She pleaded against the suspension, explaining that the positive test was caused by her contaminated medication, melatonin, which she had taken for jet lag.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted the Pole's explanation and termed the violation on “the lowest end of the range”, thus handing only a one-month suspension. The 23-year-old accepted the suspension on Wednesday and reiterated her stance of having taken the drug unintentionally.

Swiatek explained her side of the story in a video message on Instagram and claimed that she was shocked to hear about her positive drug test.

"It was a blow for me. I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious. At first, I couldn't understand how that was even possible and where it came from," she said (translated from Polish).

"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," Iga Swiatek added.

While the five-time Grand Slam champion was criticized for being handed only a one-month suspension, Swiatek's 'friend' and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka extended her support to the Pole and commented with a heart emoji under her video message.

Naomi Osaka extends support to Iga Swiatek (via Instagram)

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Tennis insider backs Iga Swiatek vs Naomi Osaka French Open clash for 'Match of the Year' award

2024 US Open - Iga Swiatek and Noami Osaka (Source: Getty)

Tennis insider Jose Morgado has picked Iga Swiatek vs Naomi Osaka's French Open clash for the 'Match of the Year' award. The duo faced in the second round of Roland Garros earlier this year, producing a nail-biting match as Osaka nearly toppled the then World No. 1.

Swiatek was the pre-tournament favorite heading into the clash and had already won two clay court titles at the WTA 1000 Rome and Madrid Open. The Japanese meanwhile was in her comeback season after a two-year hiatus from the WTA circuit.

The duo produced a breathtaking first set with the Pole eventually winning it 7-6(1) before being blown away 1-6 by Osaka in the second set. The Japanese player had match points in the third set but couldn't close out the match as Swiatek advanced and later won the title beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.