Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina has expressed concern that Iga Swiatek may struggle emotionally following her recent doping controversy. Safina, who was a top player in her prime, noted that while Swiatek is skilled at concealing her feelings, the pressure from the situation could lead to her “crumbling.”
Swiatek, the current world No. 2 and a five-time Grand Slam champion, was absent from the Asian swing of the tour due to “personal reasons.” It was revealed last Thursday that she was serving a provisional suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), albeit in trace amounts. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted Swiatek’s explanation that the positive result stemmed from a contaminated melatonin supplement.
Ultimately, Swiatek received a one-month suspension, allowing her to return in time for the 2025 season. In a video message following the ITIA’s announcement, the 23-year-old described the ordeal as “the toughest battle of my life,” revealing that she experienced significant stress and anxiety throughout the process. She appeared visibly relieved that the situation had concluded.
Safina, who retired at 25 due to a back injury, commented on Swiatek’s emotional state, suggesting that her composed demeanor might mask deeper struggles. “It will be interesting to watch Iga. For some reason, it seems to me that she disguises [her emotions] very beautifully. She is a ‘robot,’ she comes out on the court as if she has no emotions. But I have a feeling that something could go wrong and she could fall apart,” Safina said during an appearance on Bolshe! Live.
Swiatek reflected on the uncertainty surrounding her provisional ban, stating, “There were many tears and lots of sleepless nights. The worst part of it was uncertainty. I didn’t know what was going to happen with my career.” She also expressed concern about how the situation might affect her reputation, saying, “I have a sense this situation could undermine the image I’ve been building for years.”
Despite her worries, Swiatek emphasized her gratitude for the support she has received, stating, “I hope you will stand by me and will keep supporting me, because I’m not sure if, without my supporters, I would have been able to find the strength to carry on and keep fighting.”
Last week, Safina praised Swiatek for her consistent performance over the past few years, contrasting her with past champions. “In my time, there were more consistent players. Now someone can fail three or four tournaments and then return to the top 10. Only Sabalenka and Swiatek played the whole season almost without slumps,” she noted.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Safina made a bold prediction, stating that she does not believe Swiatek will win her fourth consecutive title at the French Open. “Australia — Sinner and Sabalenka. Roland Garros — Zverev and, let it be, Muchova. I don’t think Swiatek will win the Grand Slam on clay next year,” she predicted.
As Swiatek prepares for the upcoming season, she will be working with new coach Wim Fissette, who has outlined a strategy to help her enhance her game and become a stronger contender on surfaces beyond clay.
Related topics
- Australian Tennis Legend Neale Fraser Dies at 91
- Why Jannik Sinner Faces Doping Ban
- Benneteau Raises Concerns Over Swiatek Sinner Doping
