Former British doubles No. 1 Tara Moore commented on Simona Halep's swift return to the Miami Open after a 17-month doping ban. Moore expressed joy at the decision for Halep to immediately rejoin the WTA Tour, though she criticized that the same opportunity isn't afforded to other players.
Moore was suspended from April 2022 to December 2023 after testing positive for the anabolic steroids boldenone and nandralone but was eventually cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
In Halep's case, she initially faced a 4-year ban for roxadust, but it was proven to be an unintentional ingestion due to contaminated vitamins. As a result, the suspension was reduced to 9 months. Nevertheless, Halep has already spent 17 months away from the courts, and her return will be immediate, confirmed with a wild card for the main draw of the Miami Open.
Moore took to social media to share her opinion on the 2-times Grand Slam champion's comeback: “Great that Simona Halep is able to get back onto her feet so quickly. Shame it’s not the same for myself and other players who have been exonerated that aren’t so high on the totem pole. WTA need a rule…”
“That if a player is found with NO FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE AT ALL they should at least be given a protective. Not even a welcome back email or even a cursory ‘here’s the membership for the rest of the year you didn’t get to play when you were falsely accused’ it’s just disheartening.”
Great that @Simona_Halep is able to get back onto her feet so quickly. Shame it’s not the same for myself and other players who have been exonerated that aren’t so high on the totem pole. WTA need a rule… 1/2
We are happy to welcome back a great champion of the sport @Simona_Halep
That if a player is found with NO FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE AT ALL they should at least be given a protective. Not even a welcome back email or even a cursory ‘here’s the membership for the rest of the year you didn’t get to play when you were falsely accused’ it’s just disheartening
