Aryna Sabalenka has taken a measured stance regarding the doping controversy surrounding Iga Swiatek, suggesting that the world No. 1 has handled the situation with poise. Instead of launching an attack, Sabalenka noted that those who are responsible for the verdict have already made their positions clear.
In late November, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that the five-time Grand Slam champion had accepted a one-month suspension after registering a positive test for trimetazidine (TMZ). Nevertheless, the governing body emphasized that their investigation concluded that Swiatek’s explanation was valid and attributed the positive result to melatonin contamination.
This situation has drawn parallels to the case of Jannik Sinner, sparking claims of double standards within professional tennis. Notably, those most vocal about Swiatek’s case have included players such as Nick Kyrgios and
“People are really used to overreacting before figuring stuff out, so I don’t want to leave any comments. I believe in clean sport, and there’s nothing more I can add,” Sabalenka told The National when approached about the circumstances surrounding Swiatek’s doping allegations.
Since taking over the No. 1 ranking in September, the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion has enjoyed her position at the top, currently holding a commanding 1,121-point lead over Swiatek.
However, defending her ranking will prove to be a formidable challenge, as Sabalenka has 2,000 points to safeguard in the upcoming Australian Open. In contrast, Swiatek faced an early exit in the tournament last year, minimizing her points to protect.
“You cannot take anything for granted. It’s a mental game in many ways. Naturally, I aspire to remain at the top for as long as I can, and I am putting in the hard work to achieve that, so let’s see how the new season unfolds,” Sabalenka stated when reflecting on her aspirations to maintain her leading position.
This weekend, both Sabalenka and Swiatek will showcase their skills at the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi.
Simona Halep.
