The debate over Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s positive doping tests continues to be a huge talking point in tennis, with comments from former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash on the subject sparking a big reaction on social media.
Sinner and Swiatek both posted positive doping tests last year, with both only handed moderate suspensions in what were viewed as controversial verdicts.
Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension at the back end of 2024 after successfully proving that a product she was using to help her sleep was contaminated, while Sinner’s case was a little more complex and continues to be a point of conjecture for many.
The world No 1 claimed he had been contaminated after a member of his team applied a spray to treat a cut on his finger that contained an anabolic steroid.
Sinner’s legal team argued contaminated when the team member gave him a massage, with a one-year suspension looking likely until he agreed a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to serve a three-month ban.
The timing of that suspension ensured he didn’t miss any Grand Slam events and after missing match points against Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final last month, Sinner then won his first Wimbledon title with a win against Alcaraz.
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Some high-profile ex-players and journalists were quick to suggest the triumphs for Sinner and Swiatek were a bad look for tennis, but former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash gave some pointed advice to the critics of the duo with a passionate Instagram post.
“Well done Jannik,” said Cash, in a post on his Instagram account.
“I’m happy for him and his team. I know his coach Darren Cahill very well, he is a good mate of mine.
“I have followed what has been going on over the last six months or so, especially around the drug bans.
“I’ve heard a lot of stuff pop up on social media about the ‘drug cheats’ winning Wimbledon, but it’s a little sad that this is still going on.
“Before you spout out some rubbish, I think people need to do a bit of homework. Even ten minutes of homework. Just check out what other champions are saying and know about the drug testing.
“Swiatek and Sinner were contaminated. It was not performance-enhancing. If you think WADA and the International Tennis Integrity Unit don’t do their homework and check this out, then you are absolutely insane.
“So please stop this. It’s misinformation. They are not drug cheats. They are the best players in the world for a reason.
“They are great players, they are determined and focused. Their mental capacity is incredible when you think of what Sinner has been through. I’m very happy for them and let’s acknowledge and accept their greatness rather than taint them because your favourite player didn’t win.”
Those comments proved to be a cue for critics of Sinner and Swiatek to voice their annoyance at Cash’s views, with Tennis365’s X post referencing his comments gaining huge interactions, with many of the comments negative.
Pat Cash claims people need to do “homework” after criticism of Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon wins ️#Tennis #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/GLzZrzU7wZ
— Tennis365 (@tennis365com) July 17, 2025
This is a story that will continue to run and run, with the wins for Sinner and Swiatek coming at a time when many observers have suggested they could have been serving suspensions following their positive doping tests.
After a long and detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding their positive doping tests by the International Tennis Integrity Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency, plenty of tennis fans have decided the time has come to move on from the debate.
Yet fans of players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka may not be keen to ensure these stories are never forgotten.
READ NEXT: Jannik Sinner’s true Wimbledon prize money revealed as winner set to lose third of his earnings
The post Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek ‘drug cheat’ debate reignites after pointed comments from former Wimbledon champion appeared first on Tennis365.
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