Iga Swiatek has been experiencing a lot over the last few days. Having been suspended after testing positive for a banned substance trimetazidine, she’s been receiving a lot of hate from all around the world. However, amidst the hate, a few have extended their support to the WTA star. One amongst them was Agnie Radwanska’s father, Robert, who gave his own insights on the drama.

Agnie Radwanska’s father, Robert Radwański  boldly stated his side while discussing Iga Swiatek’s recent struggles. He expressed concern for the Polish tennis star, calling her sensitive and even oversensitive. He urged fans to support her during difficult times instead of criticizing her. He claimed Russians were responsible for tormenting Swiatek. “I feel sorry for this girl. There is no denying that Iga is a sensitive person, even oversensitive. That is why we need to take care of her and support her, especially now, in difficult times, and not whip her. I see that Moscow is responsible for whipping Iga. They are tormenting her, and we are supposed to defend her,” said the former tennis player and coach.

Many have been supporting Iga, but at the same time, there are many who refuse to believe the player. Russian ATP legend Yevgeny Kafelnikov condemned doping in tennis while reflecting on his career. He criticized the lack of severe punishment for athletes caught using banned substances. “Sometimes I wonder… why the hell I was not using steroids through all of my career so I could play maybe 300 matches instead of 170 a year? It should be a LIFE ban for anybody who gets caught using banned substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance no matter who you are!!!!”

Kafelnikov also supported Maria Sharapova’s transparency during her doping controversy. In a recent tweet, he admired her courage, writing, “Looking back, I really have to admire what Sharapova has done!! Come forward first with press conference before it came out from somebody else!” Sharapova admitted to using meldonium in 2016, revealing the truth during a press conference.

In contrast, Swiatek waited and announced her situation via social media much later – sparking debates about communication and transparency. The hate did not just end here. There were many who have blamed Iga Swiatek’s doping case being handled as a double standard thing.

Tennis insider exposes double standards over Iga Swiatek’s controversial doping ban

The debate around Iga Swiatek’s one-month suspension for doping continues to spark controversy, with tennis insider Savrda alleging preferential treatment from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). Comparing Swiatek’s case to other players, Savrda did not hold back in criticizing the agency for its perceived leniency toward the reigning French Open champion.

“It’s an absolute scandal. I think the International Tennis Integrity Agency should be renamed the International Tennis Protection Agency,” Savrda stated in an interview with Sport PL, as cited by the portal idnes.cz. He compared Iga’s case with that of Czech player Nikola Bartunkova’s, who faced a six-month suspension for testing positive for trimetazidine earlier this year. The ITIA attributed Bartunkova’s results to a contaminated supplement and acknowledged that she had no intention of cheating. Despite this, Bartunkova suffered significant setbacks, including a season-long hiatus, financial strain, and a drop in rankings.

Savrda emphasized the disparity in outcomes, suggesting Swiatek was spared harsher consequences. “It cost Nikola the entire season, her family a lot of money, nerves and sleepless nights. It also caused a drop in the ranking, which she will not regain,” he added.

Meanwhile, the case of Simona Halep, who faced an initial four-year ban for doping, later reduced to nine months, has only fueled claims of inconsistency in ITIA rulings. Critics like Savrda believe these contrasting decisions undermine the agency’s credibility, accusing it of applying double standards when investigating high-profile players like Swiatek.