Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), clarified that the doping cases involving Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are entirely different and should not be compared. Speaking to the Polish media outlet Rz, Banka explained that both the substances involved—Clostebol in Sinner’s case and Trimetazidine in Swiatek’s—as well as the circumstances vary significantly.
“The procedure followed for both cases was the same as with any other disciplinary case, including consultations with external experts,” said Banka.
Key Differences Between Sinner and Swiatek’s Cases
Sinner, who tested positive for the banned steroid Clostebol, is currently facing a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), scheduled for April 16-17. WADA filed an appeal regarding his case, while no appeal was made in Swiatek’s situation. Swiatek’s positive test involved a trace of trimetazidine found in a melatonin-containing medication, which WADA deemed less severe.
Banka further highlighted that, while Sinner’s positive result was linked to an ointment used by a close collaborator, athletes remain responsible for the actions of their support teams. “A professional athlete is accountable for the conduct of their staff. This is the core of anti-doping regulations,” he stressed.
Banka concluded by acknowledging that both players are among the best in the world, but their cases involve different substances and contexts, underscoring the importance of individual assessments.
