World number two Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ), the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Thursday.

The ITIA said Poland’s five-time major champion Swiatek tested positive in an out-of-competition sample in August. The positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin).

The statement added that Swiatek had been taking the medication for jet lag and sleep issues and that the violation was therefore not intentional.

“In relation to the Player’s level of fault, as the contaminated product was a regulated non-prescription medication in the player’s country of origin and purchase and considering all the circumstances of its use (and other contaminated product cases under the World Anti-Doping Code), the player’s level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’,” the ITIA said.

The ITIA added that it offered a one-month suspension to Swiatek, who, on Thursday, formally admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation and accepted the sanction.

“The player was provisionally suspended from 12 September until 4 October, missing three tournaments, which counts towards the sanction, leaving eight days remaining,” the statement said.

She missed the Korea Open (September 16-22), China Open (September 25 -October 6) and Wuhan Open (October 7-13 – she was suspended during the entry deadline).

Swiatek was also forced to forfeit the prize money from reaching the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, the tournament that directly followed the test.

Because her provisional suspension was lifted on October 4, Swiatek’s period of ineligibility will end on December 4.

‘Worst Experience’

Swiatek, 23, described the incident as the “worst experience” of her life.

“In the last 2.5 months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question, she said on Instagram.

“Both me and my Team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety. 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,” she added.

Swiatek was world No. 1 when she failed the test and having skipped the Asian swing, Aryna Sabalenka leapfrogged her in the WTA rankings to eventually end the year as No.1.

ITIA Explains Sanction

ITIA CEO, Karen Moorhouse, said in a statement: “Once the source of the TMZ had been established, it became clear that this was a highly unusual instance of a contaminated product, which in Poland is a regulated medicine.

“However, the product does not have the same designation globally, and the fact that a product is a regulated medication in one country cannot of itself be sufficient to avoid any level of fault.

“Taking into account the nature of the medication, and all the circumstances, it does place that fault at the lowest end of the scale.”

Moorhouse said Swiatek’s case was an important reminder for tennis players of the strict liability nature of the World Anti-Doping Code and the importance of players carefully considering the use of supplements and medications.

WTA Offers Support To Swiatek

The WTA extended support to Swiatek following ITIA’s decision, saying the Tour will continue to work closely with its athletes to provide education and resources that empower them to make informed decisions and maintain the highest standards of integrity in tennis.

“The WTA fully supports Iga during this difficult time,” the statement added.

“Iga has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fair play and upholding the principles of clean sport, and this unfortunate incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the use of medications and supplements.”

Swiatek’s suspension comes after men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner tested positive for clostebol in March, but avoided a ban from competition after an independent tribunal ruled Sinner had “no fault” for either test, suggesting his doctor unintentionally contaminated him.