"A Grand Slam champion like her didn’t deserve that”: Romanian No. 1 criticizes handling of Simona Halep's doping case
WTA
Romanian No. 1 Jaqueline Cristian spoke about Simona Halep's doping scandal, which led to an 18-month suspension from the WTA Tour and then, unable to return to her level due to injuries, the 2-time Grand Slam champion decided to end her career.
Halep's case dominated headlines. Around 2022, after several years as a top-5 player, the Romanian was on her way to recovering ranking positions after a few months off due to injuries. She won the title at the Canadian Open, her 9th title in the category, returning to the top-10 as world No. 6 just before the US Open.
The former world No. 1 surprisingly fell in the first round to Daria Snigur and ended her season to undergo nose surgery to improve her breathing. However, shortly after, it was revealed that she had tested positive for doping, leading to an initial 4-year suspension.
From September 2022 to March 2024, Halep awaited a trial. Once the resolution came, the initial conviction was overturned, and her suspension was reduced from four years to 18 months. Halep had already served the suspension and was immediately eligible to return to competition.
World No. 74 Jaqueline Cristian, currently the Romanian No. 1, criticized the treatment Halep received during the controversial case, in which she always maintained her innocence. "It wasn't fair, a great champion like her didn't deserve that ending," Cristian stated in a conversation with Punto de Break.
Upon her return, Halep managed to play four tournaments between March and October 2024. At the beginning of this season in February, she played the Cluj-Open in Romania, which would end up being her last tournament as a professional, surprisingly announcing her retirement once the match concluded.
Halep won her last title at 2022 Canadian Open.
"She was an idol for many people, a Grand Slam champion, a world No. 1, I can't be happy seeing how it all ended," added Cristian, who is competing at the Rome Open this week. "Since the doping scandal broke, I didn't like the process at all, all the mistakes that were made, I can't understand how they kept her off the circuit for almost two years."
"At least she was able to prove her innocence and clear her name, even enjoy her last few matches a bit. I perfectly understand her decision to retire; at 33 years old, she had practically achieved everything, she can be very satisfied with her career."
With the emergence of positive doping cases for Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek – who did not receive an immediate suspension – several voices within the tennis world have alleged differences in the treatment of players in such cases, even when they end up being innocent. Nicolas Jarry, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Tara Moore are some examples that add to Halep's case.
"For us, it's very hard, we will never know the details of all these cases, they are very personal," added Cristian, who is competing at the Rome Open this week. "What is clear is that each case is treated differently; there shouldn't be so many differences when it comes to treating players according to their ranking, the treatment should be the same for everyone. It's a very sensitive issue, I can't tell you much more."
Read also
The world No. 74 secured a victory in her Rome debut, defeating American Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-0. In the second round, she defeated Kazakh Yulia Putintseva (No. 29) 7-6(2), 7-5 this Thursday, May 8th. It is the second consecutive time she has advanced to the third round in Rome, and she will face 13th seed Diana Shnaider in the next round.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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