By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday January 10, 2025
Integrity issues to Iga Swiatek. A lot in order that she was in a extremely darkish place throughout the time that her provisional suspension was formally handed all the way down to her in November for having a small hint of the banned substance trimetazidine in her system.
Swiatek says that the moments main as much as that ban had been the worst moments of her life, and she or he was extraordinarily nervous about how the locker room would deal with her when she returned, with the information now public. The five-time main champion says it has at all times been necessary for her to be an excellent instance amongst her friends, and she or he felt that they could react harshly to her on this case.
“This was the worst factor for me, like what folks would say,” Swiatek informed reporters on media day on the Australian Open on Friday. “As a result of I at all times labored exhausting to be an excellent instance, to indicate my integrity, present good habits.”
Swiatek, who in the end completed up her one-month ban in December, says the entire episode “freaked her out.”
“Having no management over this case actually freaked me out a bit,” she mentioned, earlier than including that interacting with fellow gamers within the locker room helped her calm her nerves. “Within the locker room, the women are nice. I already noticed at this exhibition in Abu Dhabi that they’re actually supportive.”
The Pole’s suspension was formally lifted in December. It’s unlikely that she is going to face an enchantment from WADA.
Swiatek says that many fellow gamers needed to ask her how they’ll shield themselves from testing constructive when harmless.
“Most of them even approached me,” she mentioned. “They’re like, ‘Hey, how can we keep away from this? Is there any means that we will be extra cautious?’ They’re nervous this may occur to them, as effectively. So within the locker room, it has been nice. There are lots of prime gamers – I am not going to say names – which are actually supportive. I actually recognize that, as a result of it made me really feel higher once I got here again and I did not know the way it was going to be.”
Swiatek, seeded second in Melbourne, will face Katerina Siniakova in her first-round match.
In her first Grand Slam along with her new coach Wim Fissette by her aspect, Swiatek is bidding to get to a ultimate in Australia for the primary time. Her greatest end result up to now is reaching the semifinal in 2022.
