Nick Kyrgios had a field day on X after the news of Iga Swiatek failing a doping test as the Australian labeled tennis "cooked" and just didn't appear to buy the explanation that was provided.
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On Thursday, the ITIA announced that the Polish tennis star failed a doping test in August after testing positive trimetazidine (TMZ). In the statement, it was explained that it occurred while using a melatonin medication manufactured and sold in Poland that the 23-year-old used for jet lag and sleep issues.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined that Swiatek was "at the lowest end of the range for No Significant Fault or Negligence." Also, she was provisionally suspended for 15 days and has now accepted a one-month ban.
Reacting to the news, Kyrgios wrote on X: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
In March, ATP world No. 1 Jannik Sinner twice failed a doping test but didn't get any suspension after he was cleared of bearing any fault or negligence for what happened. After another major name failed a doping test, ATP player Benjamin Lock was left stunned.
"1 month ban. Its not even April fools day. Dont play with us like that. Two number 1s in the world failing drug tests in the same year is wild," the South African wrote.
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Responding to him, Kyrgios said: "OUR SPORT IS COOKED."
After one fan stated that "they think we are all stupid," the 2022 Wimbledon finalist sarcastically said: "No they both just didnt know."
Kyrgios: We can all just say we didn't know...
In Sinner's case, it was explained that a prohibited substance entered his after his former physio Giacomo Naldi used over-the-counter spray to treat a cut. Now, Swiatek also failed a doping test after unkowingly using a medication that happened to be contaminated with a banned substance.
And Kyrgios seemingly thinks the top players can basically get away with certain stuff by just saying "they didn't know."
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"The excuse that we can all use is that we didnt know. Simply didnt know. Professionals at the highest level of sport can now just say we didnt know,'" one fan wrote.
In another post, Kyrgios sarcastically predicted that there would be no world No. 1's failing a doping test in 2025.
Denis Shapovalov didn't say much but it wasn't hard to understand that he had questions after Swiatek was banned for just one month.
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"1 month ban eh," the Canadian wrote on X.
A Sinner fan account responded: One day someone will explain to Shapovalov what "No Significant Fault or Negligence" means especially in cases of contamination. But I genuinely begin to believe that he is too stupid to understand."
Kyrgios fired back: "What does prohibited at all times mean?"
The ITIA and Swiatek statements
"The ITIA accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional. This followed interviews with the player and their entourage, investigations, and analysis from two WADA-accredited laboratories," the ITIA said.
"In relation to the players level of fault, as the contaminated product was a regulated non-prescription medication in the players country of origin and purchase and considering all the circumstances of its use (and other contaminated product cases under the World Anti-Doping Code), the players level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for No Significant Fault or Negligence.'"
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In her message, Swiatek said "historically lowest levels of trimetazidine" were found in her sample. Also, she said she was "shocked" and didn't even know what was that.
"On September 12, I learned that my anti-doping test sample, collected on August 12 before the Cincinnati tournament, was positive. It was a blow for me, I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious. At first I couldnt understand how that was even possible and where it had come from. It turns out testing revealed historically lowest levels of trimetazidine, a substance Ive never heard about before. I dont think I even knew it existed. I have never encountered it, nor did people around me," the Pole said.
After the US Open, Swiatek missed the Asian swing. At the time, it was listed as "due to personal reasons" but now it is revealed that it happened because she was provisionally suspended.
