Ashleigh Barty, Kim Clijsters among others offered support during doping ordeal says Simona Halep
WTA
Simona
Halep shared her feelings upon returning to tennis after her doping ban and
revealed that several current and former players expressed their support for
her during her time away from the WTA Tour. The former world No. 1 tested
positive for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open and was immediately suspended.
Later, the International Tennis Integrity Authority determined that the ban
would be for four years until October 2026.
The 2-times
Grand Slam champion defended her innocence since the ban was imposed, and after
the appeal process before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, it was determined
in March 2024 that the doping was not intentional and was due to contamination
of a supplement that Halep was using.
Quickly,
the Romanian received a wild card for the Miami Open, where she had a good
showing against Paula Badosa but ended up falling 6-1, 4-6, 3-6: 'I’m very
nervous,' she told The Associated Press in an interview.
“I felt
like I don’t know what to expect from people (in Miami). How it’s going to be –
to be in the locker room again. Players’ dining (area). All this routine that I
didn’t do for almost two years, it looked new for me.
Simona Halep's return at 2024 Miami Open
“And when I
arrived on-site, the love that I received from the people that are working for
the tournament, the security, and all the people around, and also the players,
helped me to just forget everything. And it felt like I never (was) away.
“So it was
a great feeling, a great energy, and I was really happy deep down that I am,
again, part of tennis and part of this sport that I love. So for me, it was a
great experience, much better than I expected. And this made me feel that, OK,
now I want to go back and do my best and see how good I can be, still.”
Read also
According
to AP, Halep confirmed that the list of players offering support includes Chris
Evert, Kim Clijsters, Ashleigh Barty, Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova, and
Carla Suarez Navarro. The Romanian also commented on how challenging the time
during her suspension was: 'It’s been a tough period. … It was difficult to
manage, but now it’s a different story,' Halep said. 'And I feel relief, I feel
the freedom and yeah, I am back in business.'
“What I
went through is not easy. So I cannot forget, like this just because I got
cleared. There is baggage that probably will stay longer, and I cannot forget,
like, one day (to the next) what happened. So I have to handle it better. I
have to control my emotions coming back. So there is a (lot) that is not easy.
But the joy, I hope, will help me,” Simona Halep added.
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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