Simona Halep revived painful memories regarding her doping suspension after Iga Swiatek received a mere one-month ban for a doping violation involving contaminated non-prescription medication (melatonin). Halep, who endured a grueling 18-month suspension and significant career setbacks, took to Instagram to express her dismay at what she perceives as an unjust disparity in the treatment of their cases by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Halep was provisionally suspended in October 2022 after testing positive for roxadustat, a banned substance. Despite presenting evidence that the trace amounts found in her system came from a contaminated supplement, Halep faced a four-year ban in September 2023, which was later reduced to nine months following an appeal. The protracted nature of her case and the severity of the initial punishment left Halep deeply affected, both personally and professionally.
In stark contrast, while still being the world No. 1, Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) in August 2024, after taking a contaminated melatonin supplement produced in Poland. Unlike Halep, Swiatek’s case was resolved swiftly.
The ITIA cited evidence of contamination and low levels of the substance in Swiatek’s system as justification for the reduced penalty….
