Simona Halep‘s doping case has finally been resolved, with a very negative outcome for the two-time Grand Slam champion. The Romanian former world No.1 has received a four-year ban for doping, as her intake of the prohibited substance roxadustat was found to be intentional.
As Halep explained on social media, she was informed of the tribunal’s decision in a 126-page document that concluded she committed both charges brought by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA):
- An in-competition positive urine test for a prohibited substance, and
- A breach of the Athlete Biological Passport Program.
The 31-year-old commented “my fight continues” as she insisted that her intake of the prohibited substance was unintentional, being a result of a contaminated new supplement that had been introduced to her routine by her trusted team and physiotherapist shortly before the positive doping test on August 29.
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At the 2022 US Open, Halep tested positive for an anti-anaemia drug which stimulates the production of red blood cells. For almost a whole year she was constantly being frustrated by the ITIA postponing the decision about her case. The resolution has finally come, although very unfavorable for the WTA player. Her next steps: To appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and pursue all legal remedies against the supplement company in question. While doing everything in her power to clear her name, Halep will continue to train in hope of resuming her tennis career.
Good. Hopefully others will now think twice about cheating.
She should be striped of her titles.