Mouratoglou doubles down on defending Halep during CNN interview: "The treatment she received is not normal and fair, she's a victim"

Patrick Mouratoglou came to the defense of Simona Halep on CNN after the verdict was handed down, suspending her for four years due to doping allegations.

The French coach began working with the former world No. 1 in early 2022 following a series of injuries that had kept Halep away from the top spots in the WTA Ranking. However, under Mouratoglou's guidance, the Romanian player made a remarkable comeback, reaching as high as world No. 5 and securing the Canadian Open title along with consistent strong performances.

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In addition to her success, Halep also reached the semifinals of the 2022 Wimbledon, although these achievements did not contribute points to her ranking. Mouratoglou has been one of the staunch supporters of Halep since the onset of the doping controversy that surfaced during the previous year's US Open.

"I've been with Simona Halep through the whole process," Patrick Mouratoglou said, adding, "And the decision is completely for me impossible to understand.""And also the way she has been treated by the ITIA, all the ways through the process," he continued.

"So unfairly it's shocking on all levels during that whole year. The treatment she has received is not normal and fair, and unacceptable for me, she's a victim."

"Simona Halep, she has been contaminated by a product that was supposed to be clean," former Serena Williams said.

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"So she's literally a victim when you're a victim and you are entering into this process with the ITIA. It's horrible."

"When you are provisionally suspended, which was a case, you are, and this is written in the rules," Mouratoglou added.

"You are entitled to a quick hearing, so this is, this is a parody for me. It is a parody of justice."

Mouratoglou began working with Rune following the provisional suspension of the two-time Grand Slam champion. Recently, it was announced that they have parted ways, and it remains uncertain whether he will commence coaching another tennis player in the near future.