"We have your back" - Iga Swiatek receives support from good friend Lindsey Vonn after 1-month doping suspension

Iga Swiatek has received support from her good friend, American ski racer Lindsey Vonn, after receiving a one-month suspension for testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine. The former World No. 1 was suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA) after testing positive for the substance before the 2024 Cincinnati Open.

Swiatek was provisionally suspended in September 2024, causing her to miss some tournaments. She appealed the suspension and received the ruling of 'No Significant Fault or Negligence' but was still handed a one-month suspension.

After the suspension ruling, Iga Swiatek took to social media to address the doping controversy in order to remain "transparent."

"Hi everyone. The topic I want to share with you today is a tough one, one I was not able to discuss in the last 2.5 months. But I finally can, so I hope this video will explain a lot. I want to be transparent with you and I want you to understand what's been happening to me recently," Swiatek said.

Swiatek stated that after testing positive for the banned substance, she was "shocked" and the situation made her "anxious."

"On September 12 I learned that my anti-doping test sample, collected on August 12 before the Cincinnati tournament, tested positive. 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).

The five-time Grand Slam champion revealed that neither she nor her team had ever heard of trimetazidine before she tested positive.

"It turns out testing revealed historically lowest levels of trimetazidine, a substance I've never heard about before. 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 said.

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Reacting to Iga Swiatek's video, Lindsey Vonn, extending her support, said she will always have the Pole's back.

“We know your character and your fans know it too. We have your back!" Vonn commented.

Iga Swiatek: "Positive doping test put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question"

Iga Swiatek speaking to the press [Source: Getty]

In her social media post, Iga Swiatek stated that testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine had thrown everything she has worked so hard for in her life into question.

“I was subjected to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question," she said.

Swiatek said she was relieved that the proceedings with the ITIA had concluded, which will allow her to refocus on her tennis career.

“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 just relieved it’s over," she added.

Iga Swiatek last competed at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals where she helped Poland defeat Spain in first round. In the quarterfinals, she helped her team overcome the Czech Republic and secure their place in the semifinals.

However Poland's campaign ended in the final four, after losing to eventual champions, Italy.