Coco Gauff believes Swiatek is in good form as the Polish star reveals she gets cold shoulder since failing a dope test

Tennis star Coco Gauff doesn't disagree with the notion that Iga Swiatek's confidence levels dropped and also highlighted that she believes the 23-year-old didn't knowingly or intentionally take a banned substance.

After the 2024 season ended, it was revealed that the Pole - who failed to make it past the group stage at the WTA Finals - played in Riyadh her first tournament after her provisional doping ban was lifted.

In the offseason, Swiatek's symbolic one-month doping ban expired and she kicked off her 2025 season at the United Cup with victories over Malene Helgo, Karolina Muchova, Katie Boulter and Elena Rybakina.

But then Gauff - who was once regularly losing to the five-time Grand Slam champion - beat the world No. 2 6-4 6-4 in the United Cup semifinal battle.

The American also overcame the Polish star in Riyadh and now has three wins and 11 losses after winning their last two meetings.

Gauff: I wouldn't say Swiatek's confidence dropped

"No. I mean, I wouldn't say she's dropped her confidence. For me, I don't know like her well, but just from the interactions that we've had, I don't think anything she did was intentional," the 2023 US Open champion said when asked if the Pole's confidence dropped.

"I feel like I don't think she was maybe -- I mean like I found out with the rest of the world. I don't think she is confident in herself.

"She's playing great tennis. The match we played, I just happened to be a little better that day, maybe won a few points. It could have easily gone the other way."

In the same interview, Gauff underlined that she thinks Swiatek will be "fine" and also highlighted that she is still ranked in the top 2 in the world.

"Yeah, I mean, besides the fact I couldn't play, this was the worst thing for me, like what people would say. Because I always worked hard to be a good example, to show my integrity, show good behaviour," the former world No. 1 said during her pre-tournament presser at the Australian Open.

"Again, having no control over this case freaked me out a bit. But in the locker room, I mean, the girls are great. I already saw on this exhibition in Abu Dhabi that they are supportive. Most of them even approached me. They're like, Hey, how can we avoid this? Is there any way that we can be more careful?

"They are worried this can happen to them, as well. So in the locker room, yeah, it's been great."