Iga Swiatek hires new public relations manager amid ongoing doping controversy

As 2024 comes to an end, former World No.1 Iga Swiatek has made another change to her team while dealing with the fallout of recent anti-doping violations.

The five-time Grand Slam champion found herself in the spotlight last week when it was revealed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that she had accepted a one-month suspension. This was due to the Polish star testing positive for a prohibited substance, Trimetazidine (TMZ) in September. Although Swiatek was initially suspended for three weeks after the 2024 US Open, she was later handed a month-long ban that will conclude on December 4, 2024.

The reigning French Open champion has faced a lot of criticism from fans and even some players during this period. Subsequently, it was reported that Swiatek decided to change her public relations manager, switching from Paula Wolecka to Daria Sulgostowska.

Wolecka had worked with Swiatek for four years, and was heavily involved in the Polish star's media interactions, both in-person and online. Sulgostowska is a communicatiosn expert and member of the Polish Tennis Association.

"Joining the team of Iga Światek, a person who sets sports and social standards, is an incredible distinction," said Sulgostowska in a press release. "As someone who has always been passionate about sports, especially tennis, and who also deals professionally with communication, I appreciate and greatly respect the image work done by the entire team so far."

This is the second change Swiatek has made in almost as many months, as she recently parted ways with longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski. Swiatek has begun working with Belgian coach Wim Fisette, who is known for coaching Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.