Yevgeny Kafelnikov, a former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, has strongly called for a “zero tolerance” policy in tennis regarding failed drug tests. Kafelnikov, who expressed his frustration on social media, emphasized that players found guilty of doping should face a lifetime ban, regardless of their status or reputation in the sport.
His comments come in the wake of a doping controversy that has once again placed tennis under scrutiny. In August, WTA world No. 2 Iga Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a banned substance, sparking a debate over the fairness of anti-doping regulations. However, the five-time Grand Slam winner successfully argued that the positive result was due to contamination from a melatonin supplement she had been using. As a result, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) concluded that Swiatek bore “no significant fault or negligence.”
Swiatek was handed a provisional suspension lasting 22 days from September 12 to October 4, and her suspension was later extended by just eight more days, meaning she missed three significant tournaments—Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open. Her reasons for pulling out, including fatigue, personal issues, and a change in coaching, were cited publicly during this period. She made her return to competition in October, playing in the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Despite the explanation and relatively short suspension, Kafelnikov is adamant that any player found guilty of doping should face a lifetime ban. On social media, he vented his discontent, saying, “Sometimes I wonder why the hell I didn’t use steroids throughout my career, so I could have played 300 matches a year instead of just 170.” He continued, “It’s a shame what’s happening to tennis now. There should be a LIFE ban for anyone caught using banned substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance, no matter who you are!!!”
The situation surrounding Swiatek follows the case of Italian star Jannik Sinner, who was also embroiled in a doping controversy after testing positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, in March 2024. Like Swiatek, Sinner successfully argued that the contamination was accidental, stemming from a massage therapy treatment. As a result, Sinner was cleared of any wrongdoing and received no suspension. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the ruling, seeking a ban of up to two years, a development that continues to stir debate.
Kafelnikov’s stance is clear: he believes the examples set by high-profile players like Swiatek and Sinner could send the wrong message to young, aspiring athletes. He expressed concern that younger players might come to view drug use as a potential shortcut to success, particularly if they see the top stars seemingly getting away with it. “The sad part is that young, upcoming players, aged 12-16, look at their idols and think it’s normal to use steroids and get away with it,” Kafelnikov wrote. “Current players are setting a bad example for the younger generation.”
Swiatek’s case had been kept under wraps until it was made public in early December. The timing of her failed test—just before the Cincinnati Open—meant that she missed crucial tournaments. However, she has remained resolute in explaining her situation. “This whole thing will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life,” Swiatek reflected. “It took a lot of strength to return to training after this. It nearly broke my heart.”
The 23-year-old admitted that the doping incident had a deep emotional impact, as she has long strived to build a career that sets an example for others. “I’ve always wanted to have a career that would be fair and inspire future generations,” she said. “This situation could undermine the image I’ve spent years building, and I hope people understand that I had no control over what happened. It was an unfortunate turn of events, and there was nothing I could do to prevent it.”
The controversy surrounding Swiatek and Sinner highlights the ongoing challenges in tennis regarding drug testing and the scrutiny that players face. As the sport continues to grapple with these issues, Kafelnikov’s call for stronger anti-doping measures and a zero-tolerance approach resonates, sparking further conversation about the balance between fairness, justice, and the integrity of the sport.