Nick Kyrgios and Iga Swiatek could be set for an uncomfortable meeting on court
11/30/2024 02:10 PM
Nick Kyrgios and Iga Swiatek could face an uncomfortable meeting on court at World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi as the storm around the failed drug test for the women’s world No 2 continues to send shock waves through tennis.
Kyrgios was outspoken in his scepticism over Jannik Sinner’s failed drug tests, as he suggested the world No 1 in the men’s game was fortante to avoid a ban after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug last March.
Sinner was cleared of guilt around his incident and allowed to continue his career, winning over $20million in prize money since his failed drug test.
Now tennis has been rocked by a second doping scandal after the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) in August.
As with Sinner, the ITIA found that the Pole bore “no significant fault or negligence” as “the contaminated product was a regulated non-prescription medication in the player's country of origin”.
Swiatek, though, was hit with a one-month ban and was provisionally suspended from September 21 before successfully appealing, missing three tournaments.
"I'm finally allowed… so I instantly want to share with you something that became the worst experience of my life," said Swiatek.
"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 an 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.
"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.
"I'm leaving with you a long video and right now I'm just relieved it's over. I want to be open with you, even though I know I did nothing wrong.
"Out of respect for my fans and the public, I'm sharing all the details of this longest and toughest tournament of my career. My biggest hope is that you will stay with me."
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Former world No 1 Simona Halep hit out at what she claims is a "big difference" between the way she was treated after a failed drug test and Swiatek’s treatment.
She is not alone in expressing those views, with Kyrgios making his feelings known on X: “OUR SPORT IS COOKED ”
The Australian also wrote: “The excuse that we can all use is that we didn't know. Simply didn't know. Professionals at the highest level of sport can now just say ‘we didn't know’ ”
Kyrgios and Swiatek will compete in the World Tennis League event that gets underway on December 19th, with a mixed doubles clash between the duo a real possibility.
Swiatek will play for Team Eagles alongside Barbora Krejcikova, Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud, while Kyrgios is part of the Team Kites team with Jasmine Paolini, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kyrgios will be using this event to edge himself back into tennis after confirming he is planning to make a comeback after being sidelined with injuries for most of the last two years.
Kyrgios has confirmed he is returning to competitive tennis, starting with a return at the Brisbane International in December and then playing at the Australian Open with a wildcard.
"Honestly, this is probably the best I've felt in two years,” said Kyrgios last month
"I played that amazing year in 2022. Then at the finals in Wimbledon and US Open, that's when I started feeling some issues in my wrist. I had that wrist reconstruction and now I'm feeling amazing.
"It was a 15 miracle per cent chance that I was going to get back to playing at this level and here we are.
"To get back out there in front of the home fans is going to be sick."
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