Simona Halep has left some players disgruntled in the wake of her four-year suspension for anti-doping violations. Now, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim has given one specific reason as to why some of her former colleagues have reacted this way.
Former World No. 1 Halep was hit with a provisional suspension in October 2022 after she tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat. She was later given another doping charge, citing irregularities in her biological passport.
After almost a year of delays, a tribunal was held in London and a verdict was given but it was not the result Halep was hoping for as she found herself suspended for four years. While she has continued to maintain her innocence and has said that she will appeal the verdict, the tennis world has had a divided reaction to the news.
Several coaches and players have come to the 31-year-old's defense, including Patrick Mouratoglou, Darren Cahill, and her compatriot Sorana Cirstea. However, others such as Serena Williams and Eugenie Bouchard have been critical of Halep.
Wertheim commented on the situation, highlighting the varied reactions of those in the tennis world.
"Players’ reactions and opinions are all over the map here. Serena Williams — who of course lost to Halep in the Wimbledon final — made her thoughts known. I heard from multiple other players who have similar sentiments," he said (via Sports Illustrated).
Wertheim added that one reason for this anger toward Halep is because she earned extra money from the WTA by finishing as World No. 10 at the end of 2022. This came from the 'Bonus Pool Standings', which are given to players ranked in the top 10 at the end of each year.
Meanwhile, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said in their report that Halep had apparently been using the banned substance between March and September of 2022.
"It’s just not that players who lost to Halep now wonder whether she was dirty. Having finished in the top 10 in 2022, she earned WTA bonus money," Wertheim added.
So points from the decision on Simona Halep doping ban: 1. Halep has been REPETITIVELY doping since start of the year. 2. She engaged in DECEPTIVE methods to not be detected of using prohibited substances. 3. Haleps results from 8th Mar 2022 - 7 Oct 2022 will be disqualified
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has published the full decision of the independent tribunal in the case of Simona Halep.
