Following a historic weekend at Wimbledon 2025, former champion Pat Cash has publicly slammed critics of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, both of whom secured landmark victories but were subjected to unfair scrutiny due to past doping allegations.
Sinner became the first Italian man to win Wimbledon, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in four sets, while Swiatek completed her Career Grand Slam with a stunning 6–0, 6–0 victory in the women’s final — the first “double bagel” in a Wimbledon final since the Open Era began. However, instead of universal praise, both players have faced whispers and online accusations stemming from past incidents involving contaminated substances.
Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, took to social media to express his frustration with the reaction of some fans and media outlets.
“It’s sad to keep reading absolute nonsense online about Sinner and Swiatek. If you think they’re cheaters, you’re out of your mind,” Cash wrote. “Before you comment, spend ten minutes reading what actually happened. The anti-doping authorities did their job. These weren’t performance enhancers — these were accidental contaminations.”
Context Behind the Criticism
🔹 Jannik Sinner’s Case
Earlier this year, Sinner served a three-month suspension after testing positive for clostebol, a banned substance. However, both the ITIA and WADA concluded it was the result of an accidental exposure via a topical cream used for treating minor skin abrasions. Sinner fully cooperated with the investigation and accepted the ban, though no intent to cheat was ever established.
Despite this, social media speculation intensified after his Wimbledon victory. Notably, Nick Kyrgios posted a cryptic tweet featuring only an asterisk (*), a traditional symbol used to cast doubt on athletic accomplishments. Many interpreted this as a jab at Sinner’s legitimacy as champion.
🔹 Iga Swiatek’s Case
Swiatek, meanwhile, was temporarily suspended in late 2024 after traces of a prohibited sleep aid were found in her system. After investigation, authorities ruled that the substance was present in contaminated supplements, and not linked to any performance enhancement. Swiatek received a one-month ban, and her case was closed without further penalty.
Nevertheless, her dominant performance at Wimbledon — which included demolishing Amanda Anisimova in the final — triggered fresh criticism from fans who remained skeptical.
Pat Cash Pushes Back
Pat Cash was not having it.
“If you believe these players are doping because of their success, you clearly haven’t done your homework,” he said. “The testing systems are strict. WADA and the integrity units investigated thoroughly and found no evidence of intent or advantage. That should be enough.”
He added:
“It’s incredibly disrespectful to diminish what these two champions have accomplished — especially after everything they’ve been through this past year.”
Cash’s remarks come at a time when misinformation and online backlash often outpace facts. He stressed the need for fans to educate themselves before forming harsh opinions.
A Year of Redemption
2025 has been a year of redemption for both players:
Sinner not only bounced back from his suspension but also avenged his heartbreaking loss at Roland Garros by conquering Alcaraz on the sport’s grandest stage.
Swiatek, after months of rebuilding her mental game, proved she’s far from a clay-court specialist by finally mastering Wimbledon’s tricky grass courts.
Both athletes have taken full responsibility for their respective cases, never once deflecting blame or attacking the system. Instead, they’ve let their performance, discipline, and integrity speak for themselves.
The Bigger Picture
What Pat Cash highlights is the toxic culture of instant judgment — a world where even the slightest controversy can overshadow a lifetime of work. While transparency in sport is critical, so is fairness.
“We should celebrate resilience,” Cash said. “Both Jannik and Iga came back stronger, cleaner, and more determined. That’s the true spirit of champions.”
His message resonates far beyond the tennis court: context matters, and vilifying athletes without full understanding not only disrespects them but erodes the credibility of sport itself.
Conclusion
In an era of quick takes and even quicker backlash, Pat Cash’s passionate defense of Sinner and Swiatek is a reminder of what really matters in sport: hard work, perseverance, and truth.
Sinner’s thunderous forehands and Swiatek’s clinical footwork didn’t come from pills or powders — they came from thousands of hours on the practice court, emotional battles, and personal growth.
