“Pathetic of Aryna Sabalenka";“One of the stupidest things anyone can say" - Fans appalled by Belarusian's comments on Iga Swiatek's doping scandal
Tennis fans were shocked by Aryna Sabalenka's remarks regarding Iga Swiatek's doping scandal. In August 2024, ahead of the Cincinnati Open, the Pole tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).
Swiatek's positive test for TMZ was a result of contamination from a regulated, non-prescription melatonin medication which she had been using to combat jet lag and sleep issues. She was temporarily suspended in September, but after appealing to the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA), she was found to have "No significant fault or negligence," but still received a one-month suspension.
Recently, while speaking to the media, Aryna Sabalenka was asked to comment on Iga Swiatek's doping case. She expressed that the full truth often doesn't come out in such matters, adding that she preferred not to delve too deeply into the Pole's case.
“I just feel like we will never know the truth and people are used to overreact at the first minute the big news comes out. I feel like, I don't want to dig too deep into that case and I really believe in a clean sport so I don’t want to comment on that anyhow else,” Aryna Sabalenka said.
Aryna Sabalenka's comments drew criticism from tennis fans, who took to social media to voice their disapproval and share their opinions on the issue .
One fan criticized Sabalenka, calling her remarks "pathetic" and nonsensical, suggesting that she had not conducted even basic research before commenting on the same.
“It’s just so easy to read. Just read the court case docs. If you don’t, which clearly she hasn’t, just don’t say a word. Just say “I have no idea what the case is about cause I didn’t take the time to read it”. Why utter such unbelievable nonsense like “we will never know the truth”. The evidence in swiatek’s case is basically irrefutable. Not only will we absolutely know the truth, we already do. I’m so tired of people uttering opinions without doing even the most basic research. Pathetic of Aryna," a fan posted.
Another fan deemed the World No.1's statement about the impossibility of knowing the entire truth about Iga Swiatek's case as one of the "stupidest things" one could say.
“I really like Aryna [Sabalenka], but “we'll never know the truth” is one of the stupidest things anyone can say," a fan wrote.
Some fans pointed out that Aryna Sabalenka could have easily familiarized herself with the case by reading the ITIA's report.
“Just read the ITIA report. It's simple," a fan posted.
“The case is not at its first moment big news stage, it has been concluded with report out there for the public. So you either believe it or you don’t. What she says doesn’t even make any sense," a fan wrote.
Many fans were surprised to hear Aryna Sabalenka's assertion that the public would never learn the full truth, despite the availability of the complete report of Iga Swiatek's case.
“"We'll never know the truth" this isn't some kind of "he said-she said" conversation, there are straight facts that prove her innocence," a fan posted.
““We’ll never know the truth??” It’s right there mate!!! It’s right in front of you!!! Even the manufacturer confirmed it," a fan wrote.
““We’ll never know the truth” Oh, they’ll never make me like you," a fan posted.
Aryna Sabalenka will begin her 2025 season at the Brisbane International while Iga Swiatek will play at the United Cup
![Aryna Sabalenka & Iga Swiatek at 2023 WTA Finals [Source: Getty]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/5046c-17351847395643-1920.jpg?w=500)
Iga Swiatek will start her 2025 season at the United Cup, which is scheduled to run from December 27, 2024 to January 5, 2025 in Perth and Sydney. The Pole played a key role in helping her nation reach the final of the 2024 edition of the tournament, where they lost to Germany. Poland, along with the Czech Republic and Norway are part of Group B, whose matches will be taking place at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
Swiatek along with Hubert Hurkacz, Kamil Majchrzak, Maja Chwalinska, Jan Zielinski, Alicja Rosolska, and captain Mateusz Terczynski are part of the the Polish team.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka will start her 2025 season at the Brisbane International, which is set to run from December 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025, at the Queensland Tennis Centre. This year, the World No.1 had made it to the semifinals of the WTA 500 hardcourt tournament before losing the title to Elena Rybakina.