The International Tennis Integrity Agency has announced that Simona Halep has been suspended for four years following breaches of the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.

The Romanian player, who is a two-time Grand Slam champion, was given a provisional suspension in October last year after she tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat at the 2022 US Open.

In May 2023, Halep was hit with a second doping charge due to reported irregularities in her biological passport. The 31-year-old had been hoping for a hearing for months, but it was repeatedly delayed.

Halep will now be unable to compete for the next four years. She has already not participated in any major tournaments since last year's Grand Slam in New York. Her name did initially appear on the entry list for this year's US Open, providing that she was found innocent, but it was removed after the verdict on her case was delayed.

Now, Halep finally has answers - but not the ones she was looking for. She has previously spoken of her innocence, and it has been reported that she will appeal this judgment.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, tennis journalist José Morgado wrote:

"Simona Halep has been suspended for incredible FOUR YEARS.

She tested positive for roxadustat at the end of 2022 and had irregularities in her biological passport.

Halep will (of course) appeal to TAS."

The ITIA has explained their verdict, stating that they came to this decision for the following reasons:

"The presence and use of roxadustat as evidenced in Halep's urine sample, collected on 29 August 2022 at the US Open.

"Use of a prohibited substance or method during 2022, based on collection and analysis of 51 blood samples provided by the player as part of the ABP programme."

The ITIA also explained why the verdict was delayed, saying that "The volume of evidence for the tribunal to consider in both the roxadustat and ABP proceedings was substantial."