"I, for one, believe she's innocent": Chris Evert responds to Simona Halep appeal and stands by former World No.1

Chris Evert has continued to show her support for Simona Halep amid her appeal being set for February. The tennis legend maintains her belief in her innocence despite the ITIA recently handing her a four year suspension for doping.

Halep was handed the four year ban after the ITIA found her guilty of using a prohibited substance named Roxudustat during periods in the 2022 season. She professed innocence which could be confirmed as the fault of Patrick Mouratoglou. He took the blame saying a member of his team gave her the supplement which was collagen.

Halep then appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reduce the four-year sentence with the hope that she will return to the court soon after being away for nearly two years when the hearing is. With it now taking place in February, she will have the opportunity to present her case and Evert is behind her. "Simona Halep appeal set for February. I, for one, believe she’s innocent. Yes, she had roxadustat in her system, but she handed her whole life over to her coach and his team, who controlled her career, nutrition, management. I think she’s innocent. Period," Chris Evert said.

One fan said that she should be taking responsibility for her actions instead of passing it onto Mouratoglou and she agreed slightly but said that it was faith in others and naivety that likely got her into this mess in the first place. "Faith and trust in others, naivety……I’m just reiterating I don’t think she knew….and yes, you are responsible for what you put in your own body," Chris Evert said.