Ever since the news of Iga Swiatek‘s doping case surfaced on Thursday, the internet has witnessed a storm of reactions. The former World No.1 revealed that she tested positive for a banned substance, back in August, after which she received a provisional suspension from September 12 to October 4. She later got a 1-month ban, too, which is due to end on December 4. Interestingly, her fans on social media have raised arguments regarding the suspension while comparing it to the case of another top player, Jannik Sinner.

Sinner also tested positive earlier this year but although a provisional suspension was applied on him as well, he appealed against it and kept playing. Iga’s supporters are not happy about the fact that Sinner didn’t serve a ban but Iga has been made to. But Sinner’s fans are arguing that he didn’t admit to taking any substance. And that his contamination was due to a cream applied on his body by his physio. As one would say, the chaos isn’t likely to end anytime soon. However, a former ATP pro has now come forward to focus on the actual cause of confusion rather than indulging in taking a side!

Former World No.4 and British player Greg Rusedski took to X to reply to a hardcore Sinner fan. The latter tried to imply that Iga made the mistake of actually taking the contaminated medication, while Sinner was innocent. “I see people crying that Iga Swiatek was suspended for 1 month and Jannik Sinner wasn’t. Iga literally admitted she made a mistake and took a pill and Sinner didn’t take anything. The contamination was cause by a cream applied to the finger of his physio. Stop crying, thanks,” wrote the Jannik supporter.

Replying to them, while sharing a clear and honest response, Rusedski wrote, “This is all true, but I think the main issue is the speed of dealing with the positive tests.” He brought the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) under scanner as well, saying that “other players have been in the same situation & it has not been dealt with in the same manner.” Calling for equal treatment for all players, he further added, “As an athlete under WADA, you are 100% liable no matter how you are contaminated.”

In simple words, Greg pointed out that ITIA’s current rules are not transparent. Because of them, people get confused and think that top-ranked players get lenient treatment while others don’t. One can understand this with a recent example of Great Britain’s Tara Moore. As she got to know about Iga’s suspension and a 1-month ban, Moore was left baffled.

Tara Moore reacts to Iga Swiatek’s doping scandal while questioning the ITIA

Tara Moore was clearly not happy to see how Iga’s case was handled. But why? It’s because according to the ITIA’s verdict, Iga is currently serving her ban. It will end on December 4. But what’s interesting to note is that the Pole still participated in this month’s WTA Finals in Riyadh. She then played in the BJK Cup as well in Malaga. All of this happened while the ban was still in effect.

When serving a ban, a player is clearly prohibited from playing any professional match. Reflecting on this complicated situation, Moore wrote on X, “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.”

Moore had herself tested positive for nandrolone and boldenone back in 2022 and was banned from playing tennis for 19 months. In June 2022, she was handed a provisional suspension. In December 2023, however, she was cleared after the ITIA found that her failed test was caused by contaminated meat. Considering this, Moore is not happy about the fact that she lost 19 months of her career not playing in any event. But Iga, on the other hand, didn’t get such a strict punishment.

However, while defending Iga’s position, an ITIA spokesperson mentioned that “No two cases are the same, they often involve different circumstances, and direct comparisons are not always helpful.” What do you make of this entire situation? Do you believe there’s a lack of transparency in the ITIA’s rules for all players? Let us know in the comments below.