Tennis fans have expressed their confusion over Simona Halep's return to training despite serving a four-year doping ban.

The three-time Grand Slam champion received a provisional suspension in October 2022 after testing positive for the banned substance roxadustat at the US Open. In 2023, Halep was hit with a second charge due to irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).

After multiple delays, a tribunal was held in London over the summer and their verdict was given in September, when they found the 31-year-old guilty, meaning she was given a four-year ban.

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In the aftermath, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) welcomed the tribunal's decision, saying that "The volume of evidence for the tribunal to consider in both the roxadustat and ABP proceedings was substantial."

Meanwhile, Halep said she was "shocked and disappointed" by the verdict and maintained her innocence, confirming that she would appeal the case.

Fans bewildered by training video

Over a month later, Halep has shared a video on Instagram of her returning to training, accompanied by the song "Never Give Up" by popular singer Sia. Although this delighted some fans, many others were confused as to why she was training when she was banned for four years.

"What’s she training for?" wrote one on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Maybe it’s just for health. Isn’t she out for 4 years?" added another.

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"I wanna be this delusional," joked another.

Several other fans reacted with bewildered amusement or sarcasm, while others expressed their anger due to the fact that she had been found guilty of anti-doping violations.

"Why? The cheat isn’t coming back," wrote one.

"For what? She is a doper live with it honey," commented another.

"She should just join the pickleball tour for a couple of years…" added a third.

Matija

@Mataji__

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Replying to @TheTennisLetter

What’s she training for?

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