Swiatek compares her case with Sinner’s: “They are not the same or similar”
The Pole spoke from Dubai about the suspension of the Italian for his positive doping test and whether she is concerned that her case may be reopened for which she has already paid the consequences.
Iga Swiatek is already at the Dubai WTA with the sole objective of going as far as possible. In the press conference prior to her debut, the world number 2 confessed that she does not have specific goals for this 2025, but rather aims to win as much as possible. Thus, she could not avoid questions related to Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension for doping. It is worth noting that the Polish player also tested positive for a banned substance last year. However, her case was different because Iga could quickly demonstrate that the melatonin she had taken was contaminated. She spoke about both cases, categorizing them as completely different:
– Her opinion on Sinner’s suspension
“Honestly, it doesn’t make sense to dwell too much on it. Each case is different. We are like celebrities, apart from playing tennis. Everyone looks at it from a hundred different perspectives, but I just try to stick to the facts and read the documents. I trust that in the end the process was fair. That’s all I do because I try not to judge. I don’t know because I haven’t spoken to him, but I suppose it must have been a tough moment, a tough process for Jannik.”
– Was she afraid her case would be reopened?
“No, because, as I said, each case is different. There is no reason to compare and put these two things side by side. It was completely different from the start. We also provided very precise documentation. We did everything we needed to and followed the instructions, so there was no room or reason for WADA to appeal, I would say. So, yes, I was pretty sure it would end because my case was just contamination. I found the source, and that’s it.”
– On comparisons between her case and the Italian’s
“It’s just what people do. I also believe it’s easier for the media to describe these things when they put them side by side. I don’t actually think there’s any influence or connection because there are many different factors, different substances, different ways these things enter our bodies. There are also different resolutions, different appeals, and legal issues. I think the media is connecting them because it’s easier to describe it that way.
I think that’s how people’s minds work. Just like fans, when they read these things, they automatically link them together. But this is not the same or similar. So in my head, I just focus on myself. I hope all of this will soon become smoother and more logical. Mine was very abstract. From the beginning, I knew it was contamination. The whole time I was suspended felt quite unreal to me and something I couldn’t grasp. But that’s how it goes. I focus on myself, and that’s it; I’m tired of it. It hasn’t even been a year, so I suppose they will ask me. Although I don’t mind, I hope it passes, and we can focus on what’s next.”
– On Stefano Vukov’s suspension for harassment by the WTA, coach of Rybakina
“We don’t know much from the official statement, so we know. I don’t want to get into details because what the WTA wrote were only two sentences. I guess everyone must respect the decision because, again, we must trust that the whole process was done with the correct rules. All coaches have to accept the Code of Conduct if they want to be part of the WTA. So I hope the WTA is doing everything possible to create a safe environment. I am also very concerned about the environment around me. All I can do is focus on how I choose the people I work with. But yes, regarding official matters, we don’t know much…”
