Simona Halep has finally been to court for her first doping hearing on Wednesday with the former World No.1 set to receive her fate in the coming weeks.
Halep has not played since the 2022 US Open. She had nose surgery following the tournament and it was announced shortly after that she tested positive for the banned substance roxadustat.
Since then, it has been a battle to prove her innocence with most of those who know Halep personally rallying behind the former Wimbledon champion.
But after her hearings were constantly pushed back, she not only took aim at the ITIA but also violated for a second time for irregularities found in her biological passport
Halep has maintained her innocence throughout and spoke many times about the injustice she feels.
But now she will finally get some semblance at least of answers.
From the court, the statement was:
"In 2 weeks we should have a 1st verdict.. Simona presented her arguments. We’ll see what the decision will be.”
It also comes on a week where Halep herself has dropped out of the top 50 in the rankings and by the time the American swing comes, she will drop out all together.
Signs point to a long and protracted case with Halep likely facing a two-year suspension that she will likely appeal.
After playing Wimbledon last year and it being a tournament she has won, she will be a big miss in terms of the field at SW19 and finds her career once again in limbo after spending almost the last year off the court.
Now the waiting will continue for the two weeks until the first verdict is underway with Halep herself presenting her initial arguments against a potential suspension.
