Simona Halep regrets playing in Miami Open post doping suspension

Former world number one Simona Halep has admitted that playing in the Miami Open was a mistake. The 32-year-old has had a difficult time in recent years, especially when she tested positive for using a banned substance during a doping test in September 2022.

After that, Halep was handed a four-year ban, but that was overturned in her final appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as the final verdict reduced her suspension from four years to just nine months. However, since then, it has not been an easy ride for the former world number one, who has struggled to maintain her fitness. It is because of this reason she has only been able to play two matches this year and has been out of action since May.

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Halep was recently quoted in a report in which she admitted that playing in the Miami Open in March, just less than a month after her suspension was overturned, was a mistake. She stated that playing without any preparation was not a ‘great’ decision, something she realises now.

"Honestly, it was a mistake to play Miami for my body, because in February when I had the hearing, I didn't practice because I was exhausted, and I was in tension all the time,” she said. "I said, I'm going to recover and I'm going to stay calm. And I didn't do one hour of sport in February. Then going straight to the match, physically was not great."

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In the Miami Open, Halep, who has won two Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, lost to Spain’s Paula Badosa in the round of 128 clash with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 3-6. In her only other appearance this year, which was during the Trophée Clarins in Paris, France, she was forced to withdraw in the round of 32 clash against America’s Mccartney Kessler.

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To the fans, players, WTA and @MiamiOpen tournament staff, thank you for making my comeback so special 🫶

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