"Committed to supporting her": PTPA gives statement on Halep doping ban

Wednesday, 13 September 2023 at 13:30

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) has released a statement regarding Simona Halep's doping ban.

The former World No. 1 had been provisionally suspended since October last year after she tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat at the 2022 US Open. In May, Halep was charged with a second doping violation due to irregularities in her biological passport.

The hearing was repeatedly delayed, sparking outrage from Halep herself as well as from a lot of players and fans. However, it eventually took place and although the verdict was delayed it has finally been given - and it is not what Halep was hoping for as she was hit with a four-year doping ban.

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PTPA release statement after verdict

Following the verdict, the 31-year-old announced that she was "shocked and disappointed" in the decision and confirmed that she would be appealing it.

Now, the PTPA, whose executive committee contains Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabeur, and John Isner among others, has released a statement criticizing the delays in Halep's case and saying that they will support her in any future appeal.

"As the Professional Tennis Players Association, we staunchly support and protect players' rights in all instances. That includes exercising their due process and appellate rights in anti-doping cases. The repeated and unexplained delays in Simona Halep's case are both unfair and unacceptable.

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"The PTPA is fully committed to supporting her in any future appeals, as well as all players who require assistance. As indicated in our PTPA Principles, we will also continue advocating for improved processes moving forward, for the benefit of all," they wrote.

However, some fans have criticized the PTPA for not being more supportive of Halep up until now.

"Where’ve you been until today? @ptpaplayers Embarrassing," wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Seriously? Where you've been up to now? What you have done to help her for [a] year? If you had done something to help Simona, for a year, I would understand to post something like that. You did nothing to help her! Zero!!!!" added another.