Daily Dose of Social Media: “How was she allowed to play?” – Shapovalov, Fritz, Broady and more react to Swiatek’s doping ban

In today’s Daily Dose of Social Media, we review the most notable activities and commentary from ATP and WTA players. The recent news of Iga Swiatek’s doping case and her one-month suspension has sparked widespread reactions in the tennis world.

Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov, Eva Lys, and Liam Broady are among those who took to social media to share their opinions on this controversial case, drawing comparisons to Jannik Sinner’s situation and fuelling criticism of the associations responsible for ensuring fair competition.

Swiatek accepts one-month suspension after positive doping test

5-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has accepted a one-month suspension following a positive doping test. The ITIA confirmed on Thursday that the Polish player tested positive for trimetazidine due to contamination in a medication. The World No. 2 accepted the suspension and received support from the WTA.

In a social media announcement, Swiatek shared details of the situation: “In the last 2½ months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence," Swiatek said in an Instagram video. "The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low levels 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." Watch the rest of her statement below.

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Shapovalov questions Swiatek’s suspension

Denis Shapovalov was quick to voice his criticisms following the revelation of Iga Swiatek’s doping case. A few months ago, amid the controversy surrounding Jannik Sinner, the Canadian harshly condemned the perceived “special treatment” given to the Italian World No. 1.

True to his style, the former Wimbledon semifinalist posted succinctly on X: “1 month ban eh” after Swiatek’s suspension was announced.

“That doesn’t make it fair that players like Halep and others had crazy long bans for similar things. I’m glad it’s changing because the doping rules are unfair. But guys like Ymer are still suspended, and he’s never even tested positive.”

“You have to really hope it never happens to you...” a user replied, adding, “Because it can happen to anyone to be contaminated, and I am sure you would appeal too to avoid being suspended.”

Shapovalov continued, reiterating his opinion and mentioning Simona Halep and Mikael Ymer as examples of players who, in his view, faced different treatment: “That doesn’t make it fair that players like Halep and others had crazy long bans for similar things. I’m glad it’s changing because the doping rules are unfair. But guys like Ymer are still suspended, and he’s never even tested positive.”

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Taylor Fritz condemns fan bias in doping scandals

ATP World No. 4 Taylor Fritz offered a different perspective, highlighting how social media often acts as a tool for unfair criticism and biased narratives in doping controversies. “It’s fine to have your own honest opinions, but what I can’t fathom and what is so upsetting to see as a player is the INSANE bias from the tennis public supporting whatever story pushes the agenda they want to be pushed," Fritz wrote.

"If it’s a rival of the player you support that tests positive, then you are on team ‘let’s call them a doper/cheater/disgrace them as much as possible.’ But if it’s your fav player that it’s about, then it’s ‘innocent, no questions asked.’"

"How are you not able to remove your own personal bias and form an educated and honest opinion for yourself? Even if the player proves their innocence (not saying anyone is or isn’t), people who support rival players or have a bias against you will always blindly push the narrative that you’re a cheater. That fact really makes me sad for all the truly innocent players that have to go through this,” he concluded.

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Liam Broady ironically dismisses criticism of doping regulations

Former Wimbledon junior champion Liam Broady took to social media to mock a user’s criticism of tennis authorities for not providing a list of approved medications. The user suggested: “Wouldn't it make sense for the tennis authorities to have an allowed list of branded supplements/medications from reputable manufacturers, who could show their products were clean? Anything else should be submitted for testing before use.”

Broady disagreed and responded sarcastically: “Totally agree. This is already in place 🤣 Very easy to just get products that are tested. You can go on a website and just search up the product to make sure they’re safe from contamination.”

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Eva Lys questions Swiatek’s case, highlights unequal doping sanctions

German tennis player Eva Lys reflected on the case of her colleague Tara Moore, who faced a lengthy suspension after consuming contaminated meat during a tournament in South America. At the time, it was reported that the organisers were aware that the local meat could cause positive doping tests but delayed informing players.

“What about players that ate contaminated meat in South America? Why didn’t @TaraMoore92 get a one-month suspension? I’m slowly starting to think that not everyone gets an equal process…” Lys wrote on social media. “There are a lot of lower-ranked players that are not getting the same treatment as ‘higher-ranked’ players. I’m not saying someone is or isn’t innocent; I’m saying that everyone deserves equal opportunities.”

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“How was she allowed to play?”: Tara Moore critiques Swiatek doping case

Former World No. 80 Tara Moore, who faced suspension in 2022 due to Colombian meat contamination at the Bogotá Open, also weighed in on the current controversy. The Brit, along with Chilean player Bárbara Gatica, was suspended for 19 months until it was proven neither had fault or negligence, leading to their bans being lifted.

Moore expressed her disbelief on social media: “Wait… so she was supposed to be suspended until Dec 4th yet played BJK Cup… which was (correct me if I’m wrong) LAST WEEK. HOW WAS SHE ALLOWED TO PLAY WHILST BEING SUSPENDED??? Someone plz explain cause I’m spiralling. @jon_wertheim @Tennis @TennisChannel”