Iga Swiatek's Title Win marred by Shocking Doping Scandal: Belarusian Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Speaks Out

In a year filled with highs and lows for French Open champion Iga Swiatek, the Polish tennis sensation's latest triumph was overshadowed by a major controversy. Just weeks ago, Swiatek claimed her fourth French Open title and fifth Grand Slam win, but her celebrations were short-lived as bombshell reports emerged that she had tested positive for a banned substance.

The news was confirmed earlier this month when Swiatek, 23, was handed a one-month ban by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for testing positive for trimetazidine, a prohibited heart medicine found in her urine sample. The incident has sparked intense scrutiny over the legitimacy and honesty of Swiatek's tennis career.

However, it appears that not everyone is quick to judge her. In a surprising development, former World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who dethroned Swiatek at the French Open to claim the top spot, has come to her defense.

"I believe if Iga was found guilty, she would have been stripped of her title," Sabalenka said in an exclusive interview with Alayaran.com. "But since she was cleared by ITIA, that's a completely different story. She tested positive because of a contaminated medication, and in that case, it's not at all her fault. You shouldn't punish someone for something they didn't do deliberately."

Sabalenka's words have left many fans eager to see a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

"We need to separate the fact from fiction," Sababenka said. "If Iga was found guilty, that would be one thing, but since ITIA has cleared her, she's just as innocent as I am."