PARIS, 22 Oct 2022:
Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Simona Halep yesterday said she would “fight for the truth” after she was provisionally suspended for alleged doping.
The 31-year-old Romanian, who is now 9th in the WTA rankings, was notified of her suspension after two samples submitted to doping controls at this year’s US Open tested positive for the banned substance Roxadustat.
“Today begins the hardest match of my life: A fight for the truth,” Halep said in a statement.
“I have been notified that I have tested positive for a substance called Roxadustat, in an extremely low quantity, which came as the biggest shock of my life.
“Throughout my whole career the idea of cheating never even crossed my mind once, as it is totally against all the values I have been educated with.”
Halep described the situation as “unfair,” adding that she felt “confused and betrayed.”
“I will fight to the end to prove that I never knowingly took any prohibited substance and I have faith that sooner or later, the truth will come out.”
In a statement, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Halep’s samples in question were provided during the US Open in August.
“The player exercised their right to request that the B sample was analysed, which confirmed the finding in the A sample,” the ITIA said.
“While provisionally suspended, the player is ineligible to compete in or attend any sanctioned tennis events organised by the governing bodies of the sport.”
– EFE