"How much longer is this going to take?": Waiting game continues for Halep on doping hearing as frustration grows
Tennis News
Simona Halep continues her wait for a doping hearing after testing positive for banned substance, roxadustat after last year's US Open.
Speaking with Tennis Majors, she reiterated her innocence and is left frustrated as doubts will quell whether her hearing pencilled in at the end of next month will actually happen.
"Knowingly, I have not taken any banned substance," she told TennisMajors in an interview published Thursday.
"I am a big supporter of clean sports and have always been against doping.
"I had no clue at the beginning about where this substance came from."
"The next step is a hearing at the end of May, the 28th, but it is very fragile because the ITF said that they might cancel it as well," Halep added.
"If they do that, it will be almost eight months since I've been provisionally suspended for the first time and I believe that it's not fair to spend eight months without even being judged by the tribunal.
"It's been seven months since I've been originally suspended even though I've had all the evidence since December. I'm not asking for special treatment. I just ask to be judged. How much longer is this going to take?"
Her career is now on hold and for Halep, she fears getting injured as her time off the court continues.
"A player that is provisionally suspended is entitled to get an expedited hearing," she concluded.
"Everything takes so long. I asked the ITF to lift my sanction to be able to play but they also refused it."
"I really want to play again because I love this sport and I want to play for the big titles again."
"I have worked all my life for this. At this age (31), it's really tough to lose days, weeks, and months. You are scared about the injuries.
"When you don't have official matches, it is more risky. When time passes like this, it is harder to come back."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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