Even though there was a slim hope of seeing Simona Halep at the 2023 US Open, since she was spotted on the tournament entry list released last month, the Romanian has automatically been withdrawn at the time that the qualifying draw took place due to her provisional suspension, as per the regulations outlined in the Grand Slam Rulebook.
The USTA released a statement that Halep would definitely not be allowed to play the upcoming Grand Slam and that her spot in the women’s singles main draw went to Taylor Townsend of the United States.
The former world No.1 tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat at last year’s US Open and was accused of a second doping offense in May for irregularities found in her Athlete Biological Passport. Former world No.4 Jelena Dokic explained that inconsistencies found in Halep’s ABP suggest that the intake of the banned substance was going on for some time rather than it being a single contamination event and that the additional allegations are far worse than the initial positive doping test.
With Halep still under provisional suspension, the upcoming US Open will mark the fourth consecutive major tournament where she will be sidelined. The two-time Grand Slam champion insists on her innocence and claims that the positive doping test was a result of an accidental contamination in her supplements. “Not only are they killing my reputation, but also me as a professional player, and I don’t even talk about the consequences on my mental health,” she vented her frustration about the International Tennis Integrity Agency constantly postponing her hearings.
In recent weeks, Halep started sharing photos and videos of her playing tennis and training in the gym. However, the end of this saga doesn’t seem to be in sight.
Biggest disappointment of the day. Her appearance at the US Open was genuinely looked forward to. She did not intentionally ingest the substance. Should have paid for her supplements to be screened. Has become more than a harsh punishment. Please forgive it.
Now that so much time has passed, I am leaning towards the opinion that Simona was doping. The fact that she received two doping offences only reinforces my concerns. Also, why hasn’t she sued the supplement company yet?
Simona cannot blame a ‘bad batch’ of contamination. The intake of the banned substances were in her biological passport several times. She’s a doper, its clear as day.
Jacob, I have to say that I’m starting to think that she was indeed doping. I doubt that there is a conspiracy against her. What Jelena Dokic explained made me believe that Simona may indeed be guilty. I hope she’s not, though. I mean, she was very vocal against doping. It’s shameful.
Too much corruption, uncaring, greed in tennis. She is a victim of this.