"The nightmare that I have lived for a year and a half has finished": Simona Halep shares message as CAS appeal wait continues

Simona Halep has shared her first message since her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport concluded with her four year ban either set to stick, be altered or rescinded with a verdict likely in the coming weeks. Halep took the substance Roxudustat in collagen supplements and tested positive during the 2022 US Open.

Halep has since seen her career in limbo before the verdict was handed down which was immediately appealed in front of CAS in Switzerland recently. Patrick Mouratoglou and his team have admitted fault on multiple occasions including in court for Halep taking the supplement. She described it in a statement as the nightmare being over as she thanked everyone for standing by her during this time from players to fans.

"The nightmare that I have lived for a year and a half has finished. I had the chance to present my defence in front of TAS to show that I never did any kind of doping. This is what I have said from the first day that I was accused," said Halep.

"Now I am waiting for the decision with my head held high and I wanted to thank you my fans, players, former players, legends of this sport, my sponsors and everyone else for your amazing support. All the messages and videos that you did for me during this harrowing time that I had. I thank you for your unconditional trust. This support has meant the world to me and gave me strength to keep fighting each day to show the truth. I will share the news about my case with you all as soon as I receive it. I wish you all the very best, good and truth always prevail," she concluded.

No sort of date has been confirmed for the verdict and it could come at any point in the next few days and months.