World number two Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for banned substance trimetazidine.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced the sanction today after Pole Swiatek returned a positive sample in August.
The ITIA said no blame could be attached to the French Open champion, however, as the result was caused by contamination of her regulated non-prescription medication melatonin, which Swiatek took to help overcome the effects of jet lag and sleep issues.
“The player was provisionally suspended from September 22 until October 4, missing three tournaments, which counts towards the sanction, leaving eight days remaining,” the ITIA said in a statement.
“In addition, the player also forfeits prize money from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament directly following the test.”
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On Instagram, Swiatek said: “I’m finally allowed… so I instantly want to share with you something that became the worst experience of my 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.
“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.”
